ORSARA DI PUGLIA (Fg) – Building a digital archive What do you tell the world about November 1st in Orsarese, the great and mysterious night of the “Fucacoste and priatorje cocce” (Bonfires and anthropomorphic pumpkins), and do so by calling to gather photographers, videomakers, creatives of digital image and sound through a call that offers an opportunity to 4 artists, one for each different category: that of staying in Orsara (food, accommodation and part of the travel expenses paid by the Municipality of Orsara di Puglia) from 30 October to 2 November 2022 .
The initiative of the Orsarese municipal administration is supported by the partnerships of the Puglia Region, Gal Meridaunia, Monti Uniti Foundation, Fotocineclub Foggia, Futuro Arcaico and Euronics Point Orsara. Those who respond to the announcement, therefore, will be able to immerse themselves in the climate and rituals of November 1st in Orsarese to record, photograph, capture every detail of an ancient tradition that brings together fire, sharing, light, the spirituality of a people and its traditions.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE. The call to select the four people who will be able to use the artistic residence is open to all. It is necessary to send your application no later than 11.59 pm on 23 October 2022 to the email address fuoco.call@gmail.com. You can compete in three different sections: photography (by sending 10 images from those of your portfolio); video (attaching three short videos lasting at least 3 minutes each); sound (with 3 audio tracks lasting at least 2 minutes); and finally design (with three works of graphics or design or 3d. All parts of the works presented must have been made by the author who, therefore, must have full and original authorship and ownership. Participation is free.
THE JURY. The selected people will carry out an artistic and cultural project centered on the Fucacoste ritual. They will be supported by the organization that will put them in contact with the local population, in order to get to know every aspect of the rites and traditions of the first of November in Orsarese. The jury that will evaluate the candidates’ profiles is composed of: Luca Santese photographer and founder of Cesura; Niki Dell’Anno (Wildratfilm) director; Nicola Patruno (Jergon Studio) curator and researcher; Francesco Riccardi (Freakering) art director; Marco Malasomma artistic director of the Folklore Elettrico creative studio and the Futuro Arcaico archive; Patrizio De Michele photographer and coordinator of the “Fuoco” archive.
THE ARTISTIC RESIDENCE. At the disposal of the four selected artists, for the period from 30 October to 2 November 2022, there will be room and board, a maximum reimbursement for the trip of 100 euros, spaces for the realization of the activities, human and material resources necessary, technical and organizational support, advertising promotion.
WHAT ARE FUCACOSTE. In the last 10 years, overall, they have been about 250 thousand the people who came to Orsara di Puglia to attend and participate in the night of 1 November in Orsarese, the one in which the ancient anniversary of the Fucacoste and cocce priatorje is celebrated, dedicated to the cult of the dead. The edition of the records was that of 2014: in three days, between Friday 31 and Saturday 1 November, also thanks to the live broadcast of Uno Mattina on Rai Uno, about 40 thousand people arrived according to the estimate drawn up by the local section of the Carabinieri on the basis of stream of cars and campers. The night between 1 and 2 November, in Orsara di Puglia in the province of Foggia, is the time of the “Fucacoste e cocce priatorje” (Bonfire and heads of Purgatory). In every street, square and clearing of the town there is a bonfire that burns, sparks that rise to the sky. An ancient festival, characterized by fire and pumpkins, which involves the entire community. Many confuse this holiday with Halloween: nothing could be more wrong.
Despite the undeniable points of contact (especially the pumpkins), the Orsarese festival is different in meanings, in spirit and also in the moment in which it is celebrated: not the night of October 31st, but November 1st. In the previous days, Orsara vibrates to the rhythm of a growing frenzy. It is necessary to prepare the “cocce priatorije”, the carved pumpkins; stack the lumber and the broom branches for the bonfires. And you have to prepare the typical dishes and sweets that will be consumed on the night of November 1st, when a banquet in honor of the dead will be held in every street of the village and hundreds of creatively worked and illuminated pumpkins will be exhibited throughout the country.
At 7 pm, the tolling of the bell of San Nicola di Bari starts the lighting of the fires: more than 100 bonfires begin to crackle between flames and sparks at the same time. At 11 pm, the hooded people cross the town for the procession of the Confraternity of the Souls of Purgatory. A sort of anticipation of the procession of souls which, in popular belief, will take place after midnight. The characterizing element of the fires is the broom, a shrub that, in flames, easily evaporates, in a swarm of ascending sparks that bind heaven and earth. The engraved and illuminated pumpkin, placed on the window or in front of the door, would be precisely the sign that allows the wandering soul to identify their home when they were alive. Another interesting element is the sharing in the fire: those who do not make one of their own, participate in the rite by adding some bundles or some trunks to that of the neighbor. No witches, therefore, no masks and grotesque figures, but a choral rite of communion between two worlds never completely separated from each other.
Artists in Orsara to get to know and tell about the Fucacoste, the call for proposals is underway