Patronal Feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr (The Majo and the Fucarone)

An arboreal rite in the heart of Lower Irpinia

In Avella, a town in the province of Avellino, Campania, the patronal feast of Saint Sebastian the Martyr is more than just a religious anniversary: it is the moment when the entire community gathers around a tree. The Majo—from the Latin major, meaning the largest tree—is selected and cut from the mountains surrounding the town, dragged to the historic center, and raised in the square as an offering to the Patron Saint. It is one of the most distinctive arboreal rites in inland Campania, suspended between Christian devotion and ancient propitiatory rituals linked to the fertility of the land and the abundance of the harvest.

Cutting and raising the Majo

Everything begins at dawn on the Sunday preceding January 20th. At the Collegiate Church of Saint John, Holy Mass is celebrated with the blessing of the tools; immediately after, members of the committee and dozens of faithful head up toward the heights of the Partenio Mountains to identify and fell the tallest and most majestic tree, following practices passed down from generation to generation and rooted in the history of this Irpinian town.

In the afternoon, the trunk, now stripped of its branches, is dragged along the town streets in a procession animated by songs, 'tammorre' drums, and dances: these are the so-called figli del Majo (children of the Majo), joined by women who accompany the tree's descent. The arrival in Piazza Primo Maggio coincides with the most anticipated moment, the raising of the Majo: the trunk is hoisted by sheer force of arms and ropes, amidst held breath followed by the applause of the entire square. It is a collective test of strength that renews the pact between the community and its Saint every year.

The Fucarone on January 20th

On January 20th, the liturgical day of Saint Sebastian, the feast reaches its climax. After Holy Mass and the procession with the statue of the Patron Saint, as evening falls, the Fucarone is lit—the great ritual bonfire that illuminates the center of Avella. Its meaning is twofold: to ward off epidemics and diseases from families and livestock, and at the same time, to thank the Saint for the abundant harvest and the prosperity of the coming year.

Around the flames, the evening turns into a popular celebration. Groups of bottari, who strike barrels, vats, and scythes, transforming them into percussion instruments, mark out ancestral rhythms; food stalls managed by local associations fill the air with the scents of traditional peasant dishes; children wander about with colorful balloons and cotton candy. It is the moment when devotion becomes collective energy, and the town, usually quiet on January evenings, fills with people until late at night.

A legend and a recognized heritage

Local tradition says that Saint Sebastian became the protector of Avella when his statue, during a procession interrupted by a violent storm, was contested by the neighboring town of Sperone and ultimately remained in Avella. Beyond the legend, the arboreal rite of the Majo—along with the Avellian carnival rites of the Zeza, the Mesi, and the Laccio d'Amore—is now listed by the Campania Region among the assets of intangible cultural heritage: a recognition that certifies its anthropological value and its uninterrupted transmission across generations.

Who organizes the festival

The organization is entrusted to the New Comitato Pro Majo Avella, which works together with the patronal feast committee, the parish, and local associations. In recent years, the event has also attracted hiking enthusiasts: the Italian Alpine Club – Avellino Section organizes an excursion to the Partenio Mountains to witness the cutting and descent of the tree in person.

Why it's worth the trip

• Authenticity: This is not a re-enactment built for tourists, but a living rite that the Avella community celebrates for itself.
• Two different days: The toil and celebration in the woods on Sunday, the religious solemnity and the fire on January 20th.
• Folk music: The 'bottari' and 'tammorre' provide a powerful sonic heritage of Campania.
• Free admission: All moments of the festival are free and held outdoors.
• Archaeological surroundings: Avella preserves a Roman amphitheater, a Lombard castle, and the funerary monuments of the road to Abella, perfect for completing your day.