Three Kings, Corpus Christi,
Ol of ‘lla Néef
, Our Lady of the Rosary
Like every Preman tradition, religious events are accompanied by enthusiasm and participation, each time creating the ideal opportunity to experience and discover one hundred percent of Preman’s centennial identity.
Religious identity
Premana is very devoted to the Christian tradition: religious rites are very heartfelt and most of the community participates in them with interest, also involving the inhabitants of neighboring towns, many of the country’s oriundi and outside visitors.
As with every Preman tradition, religious events are accompanied by enthusiasm and participation, creating each time the ideal opportunity to experience and discover one hundred percent ofPreman’s centennial identity . Here are the main events worth attending.
Ride of the Three Kings: Jan. 5-6
It is one of the most heartfelt Premanese traditions.
The Magi are played by three young men from the village on horseback who, with a procession of people in tow, ride through the historic center, singing a few stanzas of the song of the Three Kings. Once they arrive at Church Square in front of the living nativity scene, they offer the gifts and sing the complete song.
The atmosphere that is created is evocative, warm and engaging: everyone sings and everyone feels that they are participating. At the evening Mass on Jan. 6, the Magi bring the gifts to the altar, accompanied by the song of the Three Kings, which marks the end of the Christmas season.
Whether in the Square on Jan. 5 or in the church on Jan. 6, the choir that is created and the energy that the people convey through song make the moment magical and truly exciting.
Premana is also known for singing, and the Three Kings’ is a real opportunity to find out firsthand why this singing fame exists. In addition, on the evening of January 5, thanks to the procession through the streets of the town, it is possible to visit the most significant points of the old town.
Corpus Christi: the procession
Just as with Epiphany, Corpus Christi (which falls in May or June, depending on the liturgical calendar) is a traditional Christian event that is celebrated not only in Premana. But you can hardly find countries where it has been so expressive and meaningful since the 1600s.
The procession carries the Eucharist through a route in Premana’s historic center.
The special feature is that el strècc (the narrow streets of the village) are “married” by the Premanese: the walls are covered with colorful sheets, embellished with fresh flowers, pictures, necklaces, and decorated handkerchiefs.
You lose your bearings; all around you have only so much wonder, the scent of wild flowers, the play of light the sun creates with the sheets, and the recitation of the Holy Rosary from the loudspeakers.
Women for the occasion dress ol cotoon, the typical traditional Premanese dress, complemented with ol strasciool, a white headdress.
Corpus Christi is an opportunity to understand the value of culture and the attachment to Christian traditions that has been alive in Premana for centuries.
In the silence and observance of the solemnity of the procession, every visitor can experience the country with different eyes, on a day when intangible heritage prevails over landscape heritage.
Women for the occasion dress ol cotoon, the typical traditional Premanese dress, complemented with ol strasciool, a white headdress.
Women for the occasion dress ol cotoon, the typical traditional Premanese dress, complemented with ol strasciool, a white headdress.
Ol di ‘lla Néef: January 11
Ol di ‘lla Néef (snow day) is a significant day for Premana alone, every year since 1863.
January 11, 1863 was Sunday, and all the Premanese were in the church for Holy Mass. Suddenly the walls wobbled, doors were smashed, glass was shattered: a huge avalanche had crashed into the church. The terrified residents found themselves huddled around the altar with the pastor barely finishing the celebration. There were no casualties; it was a miracle.
Since that year on January 11, the Premanese have been celebrating, not going to work, but to church to remember and give thanks.
Our Lady of the Rosary : the procession
On the first Sunday in October, the class celebrating its nineteenth birthday that year is responsible for decorating and transporting during the evening procession of Our Lady of the Rosary, a wooden statue that is preserved and displayed only on this occasion.
The procession extends along Rome Street, accompanied by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and flambeaux in the hands of the people and on the windows of the houses that light up the street.
Also on this occasion, the final song, with typical Premanese high tones, characterizes the procession: the whole population creates a spontaneous choir that accompanies the evening with the song Lodate Maria, as a farewell and goodbye to the following year.
