Selfies have been banned from an unusual religious festival in Italy in which penitents in white hoods and robes flagellate themselves until they bleed.
Hundreds of locals in the medieval village of Guardia Sanframondi in the southern region of Campania will gather this week to beat themselves in the chest with corks containing metal spikes.
It’s part of a religious festival known as Riti Settennali di Penitenza (Rites of Penance every Seven Years), which marks the discovery of a Madonna and Child statue hundreds of years ago.
The mayor of the village has banned selfies from the festival for the first time so that attendees can focus on religion and spirituality.
Hundreds of locals in the medieval village of Guardia Sanframondi in the southern region of Campania will gather this week to beat themselves in the chest with corks containing metal spikes. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
It’s part of a religious festival known as Riti Settennali di Penitenza (Rites of Penance every Seven Years), which marks the discovery of a Madonna and Child statue hundreds of years ago. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
The festival started earlier this week and will end on Sunday as several hundred battenti march through the streets of the village behind the statue of the Madonna. During the march, they will pound their chests with ‘spugna’, a round piece of cork containing needles. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
Thousands of tourists are expected to travel to the village to watch the penitents, known as ‘battenti’, or ‘beaters’, flagellate themselves until they bleed.
Because the last event was held seven years ago in 2010, the problem of selfies was not an issue until now.
‘There should be no selfies with the “battenti”. It’s better for people to concentrate on the religious aspect and to experience a wonderful day of spirituality, which is a rare thing these days,’ the mayor of the village, Floriano Panza, said.
‘Seven years ago there weren’t many smart phones,’ he told La Repubblica newspaper.
The festival started earlier this week and will end on Sunday as several hundred battenti march through the streets of the village behind the statue of the Madonna, The Telegraph reported.
Because the last event was held seven years ago in 2010, the problem of selfies was not an issue until now, so the mayor has banned selfies from the event. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
The group will wear hoods to remain anonymous to onlookers, who pour white wine over the penitents to disinfect and clean the wounds. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
The festival has been going on for hundreds of years, with the oldest historical document marking the seven-day rituals dating back to 1620. Pictured above, festival attendees in 2010
Throughout the week, episodes of the ancient and New Tesiment will be reinacted and the week of festivities will culminate in Sunday’s march.
During the march, they will pound their chests with ‘spugna’, a round piece of cork containing needles.
A smaller number of flagellanti will join the group in similar clothing, who will beat themselves with metal scourges.
The group will wear hoods to remain anonymous to onlookers, who pour white wine over the penitents to disinfect and clean the wounds.
Emergency responders will be at the procession in case anyone involved needs medical attention.
The festival has been going on for hundreds of years, with the oldest historical document marking the seven-day rituals dating back to 1620.
Rites similar to those in Guardia are common in neighboring regions, where processions also take place.