Easter In Corsica

09 April 2009

Easter is a very important time in Corsica with processions and religious events held all across the island. One of the most famous events is La Passion, held during Holy Week it is a major Corsican-language spectacle which retraces the Passion of Christ. A Granitola is a fascinating procession which takes place on Good Friday in Calvi - the brothers of Saint Antoine and Erasmus march in procession through the town to the citadel. Possibly the most famous of all Corsican Good Friday processions is U Catenacciu in Sartene. In Bonifacio the Procession of the five Orders is an unforgettable sight to witness: members of five Orders pass through the town and meet up at the parish church carrying relics and statues on Baroque-style shrines lit with torches and lanterns. Traditional chants and pagan rituals which accompany the procession add to the mysterious atmosphere.

Following lent, food also plays a major part in celebrations and there are a number of culinary fairs at this time. During Easter weekend itself the village of Piedicroce, situated between Corte and the Costa Verde, holds a fair for local farm produce A Merendella in Castagniccia. At the end of April the Journee du Brocciu in Piana is a popular event celebrating Corscia’s world-famous cheese.