Families Celebrate Fucacost in Orsara di Puglia

In Orsara di Puglia, on the night November 1^st and 2^nd, the very ancient feast of “fucacost” (fire side by side) is celebrated. In front of every house, bonfires are lit to light the way home for the dead who, on that night, return home to visit the living. Meat is cooked on the embers of these bonfires and everyone eats it together in the town streets. On November 1, the traditional competition of decorated pumpkins takes place in the main square. The pumpkins are called “cocce priatorje” – heads of purgatory.