The Sky Holds for Giglio

Weather reports warned of thunderstorms and heavy rain around the time of this year’s Giglio Sunday lift. Though the skies displayed a spectrum of gray the rain for the most part abstained until the Giglio dance was done. *Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon*

The Our Lady of Mount Carmel (OLMC) Feast of 2023 veni, vidi, vici — it came, it saw, it conquered the hearts of all who came to this feast.

There are many reasons people come to this feast. It can be a homecoming for those who have moved away, tourists come to participate in NYC’s first Italian feast— not only first on the annual calendar (OLMC Feast aka Giglio is in July, San Genaro is in September), but historically first as the Giglio Feast began in 1903 and San Genaro began in 1926. Both feasts have their food and drink and souvenir vendors, parades, eating contests, rides, games, etc. But the Giglio has the lifts, which is one of the more unique sights one can experience.

Behind the Giglio as it makes it’s way to the Turk. *Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon*

Giglio Sunday danced with the elements, and God smiled on Giglio Sunday. The night before, weather forecasts threatened thunderstorms and flood watches for 2 p.m. Sunday. (The Giglio lift was scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m.) The weather warnings didn’t scare away the crowds: the street was filled with feasters, and the patience of a saint was needed to move through this sea of people. OLMC’s team of lifters (paranza) were undaunted and raised and navigated the Giglio tower and the Turk’s boat to meet each other on Havemeyer Street. There are 325 men in their current paranza.

Lifters share their strength and support *Photo credit Lori Ann Doyon*

The eighty-ish-foot Giglio tower has been said to weigh 2–4 tons when holding a brass band plus church and feast leadership. It is lifted and danced along Havemeyer Street by the strong backs of 100-or-so men. The Turk’s ship is somewhat lighter, but has fewer lifters, and the Turk’s entourage shoots out red, white, and green confetti to the delight of the crowd. Forgive the soft numbers, they change with every lift and each tower’s construction, but it is always an amazing feat of spirit to witness.

Thankfully the only thing that rained during the lifts was red, white, and green confetti. *Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon*

This event is rooted in the history of our community’s Italian ancestors who made their homes here in the 1880s. They brought their food and traditions with them, one of which was Nola’s feast of San Paolino. The Italian town of Nola honored Bishop Paolino’s heroism and sacrifice — he saved children from the pirates overrunning the town and exchanged his freedom to save a young man from slavery. The story of this bishop made its way to the ears of a Turkish sultan, who successfully won the bishop’s freedom. On the bishop’s return the townspeople welcomed him with lilies. This act was turned into the traditional festival where each trade guild in Nola would create a lily display and compete against the others. As time moved on, the displays grew more impressive, especially in height (over 80 feet). This year, Nola’s Gigli Sunday (Gigli is plural of Giglio as there are several towers here) was held on June 25.

Two community members, both recently retired teachers, Felicia Pecoraro and Lisa Summa went to Nola’s Gigli this year. They visited family who live in Italy and coordinated the trip’s timing to see Nola’s feast that inspired Williamsburg’s Giglio.

St. Nicks Alliance board members Felicia Pecoraro and Lisa Summa went to Nola’s Gigli festival this year! Here they are in the streets of Nola following one of the gigli. *Photo Credit: Felicia Pecoraro*

“We spent two days in Nola. It was the highlight of our trip. To see the eight Gigli and the Boat and all the people in the streets! Amazing! The music during the dancing of the Gigli was so exciting. It was a hot day but not unbearable. We just loved everything about it, and I would recommended for every native Williamsburg-ite to go to Nola for Gigli Sunday at least once,” said Felicia Pecoraro.

At the Gigli Festival in Nola, Italy Felicia Pecoraro and Lisa Summa met a man in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Giglio shirt! He is from Queens, but lives in New Jersey. *Photo Credit:* *Felicia Pecoraro*

Lisa Summa said, “I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend the festa dei gigli in Nola in June. As a lifelong resident of Williamsburg, I have always been interested in the origins of Our Lady of Mount Carmel’s Giglio festival. The beautifully designed gigli (there were eight!) and boat, the infectious music and the excitement of the crowd made for an unforgettable experience. All Giglio enthusiasts should try to witness it at least once.”

**Msgr. Jamie J. Gigantiello** on the Giglio *Photo credit: Lori Ann Doyon*

The festa dei gigli and the Gilgio Feast are about community. Another aspect of the Giglio Feast is not seen on Havemeyer Street, where the feast is located. Neighborhood houses in the parish of OLMC that hold the capos and the Turk for the year’s feast are decorated with banners, streamers, ribbons, balloons – announcing this honor has been bestowed upon them this year.