Purcitade of San Pauli

The Purcitade, a Friulian winter rite

The Purcitade di San Pauli is one of those traditions that tell the story of a village through its simplest gestures. In Mortegliano, in the plain of Udine, the festival is celebrated on the eve of San Paolo, the patron saint of the village, and is rooted in the Friulian peasant culture: the purcitade was the slaughter of the pig, a collective moment that in the heart of winter brought families and neighbours together around work and the table.

A day following the rhythms of the past

The event authentically recreates that rite, "without haste", following the rhythms of the past. The day opens in the morning with the cutting of the meat, continues with pork appetizers and the alpine lunch, and concludes with a young people's evening that livens up the festival area with music and dancing. It is a festival that combines shared cuisine, community, and conviviality.

Tradition and solidarity

In addition to its cultural value, the Purcitade often has a dimension of solidarity: the proceeds from the festival are donated to charitable initiatives for the benefit of the local area. Thus, the re-enactment of an ancient gesture also becomes an occasion for commitment to the community of the Municipality of Mortegliano (Province of Udine), the town famous for the tallest bell tower in Italy.