La Focarina di S. Giuseppe On the night of 18 March - the verge of the spring equinox - it is tradition in our region to build a large bonfire (“focarina”) to burn up the leftover twigs and brush from winter and make room for the rebirth of spring. The air is filled with intense smells: fresh and new, yet nevertheless ancient. In our region, all the villagers gather around the large bonfire. The elders tell the children stories, and the most daring youths leap into the fire as a challenge and to prove their bravery. The fire burns away all the suffering and woes of, confidently awaiting the arrival of spring and the joy and light heartedness it brings. The fire kindles a sense of hope for the days to come, like a collective and apotropaic prayer. A world of old folk stories and traditions comes together in this complex fragrance with its utterly innovative olfactory texture.
