A community in Italy comes together to celebrate olive trees and raise funds for charity.
Every year in Varese, in Northern Italy, a traditional religious event celebrates olive oil and dedicates the celebrations to Sant’Imerio, for whom the local church is named.
In a number of olive groves cultivated by parishioners and in those shared by donors for the event, volunteers harvested the olives that were then used to produce the Sant’Imerio oil, or the “sacred lakeside oil” as locals refer to it.
Once a year we celebrate our historical bond with the groves among us within the community.- Don Enrico, Parish of Bosto
The members of an association named after the Saint collected the olives and brought them in the parish house in Bosto, a village which is part of the greater Varese area, in the Lombardia region, where the annual fair takes place each February.
“To us, olive trees represent hope and resiliency. Once a year we celebrate our historical bond with the groves and among us within the community. Those who take part in the Sant’Imerio oil initiatives bring joy to all of us and strengthen the activities directed to the have-nots,” don Enrico, one of the priests and local authorities involved in the activities, explained to Olive Oil Times.
There is growing attention for the event by the residents in the Varese area. The groves dedicated to the sacred oil for the current harvesting season were hit by the outbreak of the olive fruit fly coupled with unhelpful weather.
That is why last October locals who had olives to share came in and donated their fruits for the event. People of different ages, ethnicities and cultures participated, bringing olives with cars, bicycles and whatever means they had. There, in Bosto, with the help of the Lenno Oil Mill, olives became oil.
The two-day fair followed a tight schedule of activities, shared meals and games, but the event all waited for took place on Sunday morning.
People from the community, together with several associations reunited for the event, take part in the traditional procession from the small ancient Sant’Imerio church to the parish main church.
At the end of it, the traditional balloon was lit, a fascinating reminder of the martyrdom of Sant’Imerio. Then, with the community gathered outside and inside the building, the Sant’Imerio oil was blessed by the highest local religious authorities and a special mass took place.
Several hundred bottles of the Sant’Imerio sacred reserve were sold in a matter of hours. “Many hope to get at least some of the bottles because of the connection we all feel during the event. On top of that, it benefits those who are in need,” don Enrico said.
The profits of the sale are completely dedicated to the initiatives that the local religious community puts in place to relieve the condition of local children whose families are in need and hold a special place in the heart of the blessed-oil community.
Jan. 9, 2024
Tour in Tunisia Explores Olive Oil Culture and Cuisine
The Sfax Oleo Tour takes visitors on an eclectic trip through the olive oil-soaked region, visiting groves and sampling the many local delicacies.
Jun. 26, 2023
Canneto Sabino: A Living Legacy of Sabina's Olive Oil Tradition
With roots dating back centuries, the millenary Canneto Sabino symbolizes the history and tradition of olive oil production in southeastern Lazio.
May. 15, 2023
Smart Labels on Display at Italian Food Show
One of Italy’s premier food fairs highlighted tracking technologies to promote traceability and prevent fraud.
Jun. 8, 2023
Exploring the History of Tuscany’s Iconic Olive Landscape
While evidence of the first olive trees in the iconic Italian region date back to the 14th century, the proliferation of olive oil culture started centuries later.
Oct. 31, 2023
Global Olive Oil Production Set for Second Straight Year of Decline
The world’s seven largest olive oil-producing countries are expected to yield 1.97 million tons in the 2023/24 crop year, 23 percent below the average of the previous four campaigns.
Jun. 20, 2023
Reviews Pour in for Starbucks Oleato
From indigestion to pleasantly nutty notes, customers in the United States and Europe have come to mixed conclusions about the olive oil-infused coffee beverages.
Apr. 9, 2024
The Farm-to-Table Restaurant Bringing the Cretan Diet Back in Vogue
The owner and managers of Peskesi are working to reintroduce the Cretan diet to locals and tourists alike.
Aug. 7, 2023
Italy Becomes Largest Market for Tunisia’s Organic Olive Oil Exports
Tunisia's organic production is increasingly favored by large Italian bottlers.