Le Celebrazioni Perdonanza

Festival, 23rd - 27th August

The Perdonanza Celestiniana is an annual religious festival in L'Aquila, with the main religious events on the 28th and 29th of August. During the week leading up to this, there are celebrations throughout the city. The festivities were based predominantly in the city centre, although, as appears to be usual post-earthquake, this activity was focused around the main street Via Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, and Piazza Duomo. However, the historic centre was much busier than I have ever seen it. A number of buildings along Corso Vittorio Emmanuele had their reconstruction work completed in time for the celebrations. So, whilst there was still the sense of a building site containing activity on the streets, quite a few exhibitions and concerts were able to be held in newly renovated spaces.