Madonna dell'Arco Festival (Fujenti Atellani)
Easter Monday with the white-clad devotees in Piazza Macrì
About Fujenti Atellani
A devotion spanning five centuries
In Sant'Arpino, a small town in the province of Caserta in the heart of the Agro Atellano, the Monday after Easter is no ordinary day. It is Easter Monday (lunedì in Albis), the day when thousands of Madonna dell'Arco devotees begin their journey toward the sanctuary of Sant'Anastasia, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. Tradition traces this devotion back to April 6, 1450, when—according to popular legend—a sacred image of the Virgin, struck during an argument, began to bleed, giving rise to one of the most deeply felt Marian cults in all of Southern Italy.
In Sant'Arpino, this devotion has taken on a unique form. The A.M.D.A. "Fujenti Atellani" association of Via San Giacomo, presided over by Tommaso Colella, gathers the teams of devotees—known as chiette—from across the Atellano territory and the Naples hinterland in Piazza Macrì every year for a full day of faith, music, and folklore.
What are the fujenti?
The fujenti (literally "those who flee," meaning those who run toward the Madonna) are devotees dressed in white, wearing red and blue sashes crossed over their chests: the Marian colors. This is not a stage costume, but a votive garment worn to fulfill a vow. Each chietta arrives in the square carrying:
- banners depicting the Madonna dell'Arco, which are large and remarkably heavy;
- sacred paintings, often commissioned specifically for the year by local artists;
- toselli, the characteristic ornamental structures that accompany the procession;
- a brass band in tow, which sets the rhythm for every movement.
The highlight is the performance: the bearers make the heavy paintings and large banners twirl in time with the music, while soloists sing songs and recite poems dedicated to the Virgin. It is a gesture that requires physical strength, coordination, and years of apprenticeship, which the public watches in an emotion-filled silence, broken only by the final applause.
The Piazza Macrì Competition
For several years, the Sant'Arpino event has been structured as a formal competition—the "Commission" of the Fujenti Atellani—promoted by A.M.D.A. Sant'Arpino with the patronage of the Municipality of Sant'Arpino. Over ten chiette take turns on the square's natural stage, and a jury awards prizes in various categories: best band, best painting, best poem, best performance, and best voice.
The competition does not detract from the religious dimension: the day remains marked by devotional rites and church services, and the competition serves as a stimulus to improve the artistic quality of the paintings, songs, and choreography. Mayor Ernesto Di Mattia has repeatedly described the event as "a healthy tradition that benefits the area," emphasizing the social cohesion role that the association—with about a hundred members—plays throughout the year.
A twelve-month calendar
The spring festival is only the visible peak of a continuous year-round effort. The devotees' year officially begins in January with the flag-raising rite: a morning mass at the parish of Sant'Elpidio Vescovo, a procession through the town streets in uniform with the band, and finally the solemn hoisting of the flag. This is followed by the preparation of the paintings and toselli, which keeps the chiette busy for weeks.
The cycle concludes on the Sunday of the Octave of Easter, when the fujenti return to Piazza Macrì for a second day of performances, generally more intimate but no less well-attended.
Why it's worth attending
Those who arrive in Sant'Arpino on Easter Monday witness an authentic event, not one staged for tourism: there are no tickets, paid grandstands, or barriers for "reserved seating." The square is open, admission is free, and the entire community participates, from children to the elderly. It is an opportunity to observe up close one of the most deeply rooted intangible traditions of Campania, which is currently at the center of a promotion process that aims for recognition as intangible cultural heritage.
Around the square, on the day of the festival, there is no shortage of stalls selling traditional Easter sweets and the convivial atmosphere of the Agro Atellano towns, just a few kilometers from Aversa and the excavations of ancient Atella.
Fujenti Atellani — edition 2026
Two days of faith and folklore in Piazza Macrì
The seventh edition of the Fujenti Atellani competition brought Sant'Arpino to life for two days. On Easter Monday, April 6, 2026, the chiette took turns in Piazza Macrì from morning until evening; on the Sunday of the Octave of Easter, April 12, the second day of performances was held, interrupted by a break for the religious service.
The edition was dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Ottuso. Alongside the local chietta from Via San Giacomo, presided over by Tommaso Colella, numerous local associations participated, including the A.M.D.A. of Sant'Antimo, the A.M.D.A. of Casandrino, the A.M.D.A. of Afragola, and the A.M.D.A. of Frattaminore.
Awards of the 2026 edition
The competition jury awarded prizes in five categories, honoring bands, paintings, poems, performances, and solo voices. The public followed the performances until late in the evening, with long applause for the bearers of the heaviest paintings.
Opening of the devotional year
The 2026 season for the devotees was inaugurated on Sunday, January 11, 2026, with the flag-raising rite: mass at 8:00 AM in the parish of Sant'Elpidio Vescovo, a procession through the town streets with banners and a band, and the solemn hoisting of the flag around 12:30 PM.
Programme Fujenti Atellani 2026
Flag-raising rite — Sunday, January 11, 2026
- 8:00 AM — Holy Mass in the parish of Sant'Elpidio Vescovo
- Following — procession of members in uniform through the streets of Sant'Arpino with banners and brass band
- Approx. 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM — solemn flag-raising, the official opening act of the year for the Madonna dell'Arco devotees
Easter Monday — Monday, April 6, 2026, Piazza Macrì
- 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM — arrival and first performances of the chiette in the square
- 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM — resumption of performances: parade of banners depicting the Madonna dell'Arco, sacred paintings, and toselli, with poems, songs, and choreography in time with the band
- Participation of over ten chiette from the Agro Atellano and the Naples hinterland
Octave of Easter — Sunday, April 12, 2026, Piazza Macrì
- 3:00 PM - 6:30 PM — afternoon performances by the devotee teams
- Break for religious service
- 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM — evening performances and announcement of the awards for the 7th "Festival 2026" competition
Event promoted by A.M.D.A. Sant'Arpino with the patronage of the Municipality of Sant'Arpino, dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Ottuso.
Highlights Fujenti Atellani 2026
- 7th "Festival 2026" competition dedicated to the memory of Giuseppe Ottuso
- Best Band 2026: "Città di Casandrino - Pasquale Anfossi" Brass Band
- Best Painting 2026: "Nel nome dello Spirito Santo" by Francesca Strino
- Best Poem 2026: Giusy Marrone (A.M.D.A. Casandrino)
- Best Performance 2026: A.M.D.A. Afragola
- Best Voice 2026: Sossina Granata (A.M.D.A. Frattaminore)
- Over ten chiette in the square, including the Via San Giacomo chietta presided over by Tommaso Colella and head chietta leader Lorenzo Iorio
- Presence of Mayor Ernesto Di Mattia, who renewed the Municipality's support for the tradition
Prices Fujenti Atellani 2026
Practical information — Fujenti Atellani
Location
Piazza Macrì, in the center of Sant'Arpino (CE), postal code 81030. The procession also passes through the surrounding streets and the parish of Sant'Elpidio Vescovo.
How to get there
- By car: Take the Aversa Nord exit of the Asse Mediano (SS 162 NC) or the Frattamaggiore junction; Sant'Arpino is about 20 km from Naples and 5 km from Aversa. During the festival, the center is partially closed to traffic: it is best to park in the peripheral streets and continue on foot.
- By train: Frattamaggiore-Grumo Nevano station (Naples-Aversa-Caserta line), then bus or taxi; alternatively, Aversa station.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino airport, about 20 km away.
Admission and hours
The event in Piazza Macrì is free of charge. Performances are concentrated on Easter Monday (morning and afternoon/evening) and on the Sunday of the Octave of Easter (afternoon and evening).
Tips
- Arrive early to find a spot along the perimeter of the square: the best views are from the front rows.
- This is a religious event: modest clothing and respect during prayer moments are requested.
- For those wishing to complete the experience, the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'Arco in Sant'Anastasia (NA) can be reached in about 40 minutes by car and is the heart of the pilgrimage.
- For overnight stays, it is best to look in Aversa or the northern area of Naples, which are better served in terms of accommodation.
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Where does it take place — Fujenti Atellani
Piazza Macrì
Piazza Macrì, 81030 Sant'Arpino