On May 24th, 2009 at the Cascine Park (Parco delle Cascine) in Florence there will be the traditional Cricket Festival (Festa del Grillo) on Ascension Sunday .
The origin of the Festa del Grillo (Cricket Festival) lie in ancient pagan festivities celebrating the arrival of spring.
Later, the city used to celebrate May with the ‘Calendimaggio’: young men adorned the doors or windows of their sweethearts with flowers, and gave them a cricket in a small cage made from broom wood. According to popular tradition, a “chirping” cricket brought good luck and protected the household.
Today the feast is celebrated by a traditional fair (where you could also buy crickets) with typical spring products.
For further information:
Tourist Office
Ph.: +39 055 3283550
