Pignarul Epiphany fires

A regional tradition that’s very still very loved and celebrated. During this period in the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the days of the 5th and 6th of January, we celebrate a tradition that has Celtic origins, adapted then to Christianity, and still in use today. During these two days bonfires (called pignarûi) are built with wood and branches (and often they place a puppet dressed as a witch on the top) and burnt to celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one. The burning wood is a symbol of the year gone by, and the smoke that comes from it is used as an omen of the year to come: they make previsions based on the direction it takes. It’s a tradition that is brought on by the elders of each village, that are the only ones capable of “interpreting” the message that you can read in the smoke.