Historic Easter procession in Mendrisio canceled due to weather
Published: Thursday, Mar 28th 2024, 15:50
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In southern Ticino, the historic Easter procession planned for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday has been canceled due to bad weather. The Holy Week procession was added to Unesco's list of intangible cultural heritage in 2019.
The low temperatures in particular prompted the organizers to cancel this year's Easter procession, wrote Mendrisio Tourism and the town of Mendrisio in a joint press release. It would have been the 226th edition.
This year, the Easter weekend in Ticino is literally falling through. Meteo Switzerland is forecasting just eight degrees for Mendrisio on Thursday and a chilly 13 degrees for Good Friday.
In addition, there will be rain, which is only expected to make short breaks in southern Ticino today (Maundy Thursday). From Friday morning to Monday evening, rainfall is forecast throughout most of Ticino.
Bright paintings characterize the procession
The processions in Mendrisio take place every year on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday and attract thousands of spectators.
The Maundy Thursday procession is dedicated to the Passion and the Way of the Cross of Christ and is carried out by around 270 performers. The Good Friday procession is simpler and more spiritual. 700 residents, adults and children, walk through the streets accompanied by a band and carrying ceremonial objects.
During the processions, the lights in the town are switched off and the streets are illuminated only by the glow of the "Trasparenti". These internally illuminated, framed translucent paintings have been produced using a special technique since the 18th century and are a special feature of the Mendrisio processions.
©Keystone/SDA
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