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Traditions, culture and nature of Ovaro

Published on 25/06/2021 (last modified 25/06/2021)

What is the best way to experience Ovaro? Answer to that knows Cristiana Agostinis from Carniamusei, who was born, raised and is still living in the village of Luincis in Ovaro municipality. In the latest Excover interview, she explains the traditions, culture and nature of that area, which still has many stories to tell. During the last year, she had the opportunity to rediscover old paths that are connecting villages, woods, churches and museums. One of the most interesting traditions is La a sops, when children walk around the village at the New Year's Eve, singing and receiving sops – small presents from all the houses they visit. Also, there are religious festivals as Ancient Parish Church and Rogazion di Guart, when visitors can participate in a feast, or witness the ancient rituals and hear the ancient chants of the Aquileian Church, brought back to light after many years.

“When I look back and think about my childhood, I still have a fond memory of La a sops. On December 31st, children would gather and walk around the village, carrying a decorated star. We would visit all of the families, bring our wishes for the New Year and singing the familiar tune.” Says Cristiana Agostinis, who was born, raised and is still living in the village of Luincis in Ovaro municipality. She explains the tradition of Ovaro, noting that sops are small presents that children received during their greeting visits. Even now, children go for sops and keep on singing this tune. It is a tradition that still renews itself.

Rediscovering old paths and visiting religious festivals

- I think that every period of our life has the potential to make us rediscover new aspects of our territory. For instance, during the last year, marked by the pandemic, I had the opportunity to rediscover the old paths that are connecting one village to another. After a long time, I have travelled through them again and I have even come across some things I have forgotten – said Cristiana, adding that she also feels a strong connection with the religious festivals of Ancient Parish Church, like the feast taking place the day before of the Assumption of Mary. Or again, the Rogazion di Guart, a procession that brings together all the neighbouring parishes, from Sappada, to Prato Carnico, Ravascletto and Cercivento, which every year takes place in a different parish. These are the occasions on which visitors could witness the ancient rituals and hear the ancient chants of the Aquileian Church, brought back to light after many years.

Villages, woods, churches, museums and exhibitions

- If a tourist was to ask me how to spend half a day in Ovaro, I would probably suggest to first reach the San Martin's Early Christian Church and then start walking along a beautiful path in the woods that brings to the village of Luint, and continues up to Mione, a village that many people know thanks to its famous Palace of the 100 windows. From Mione there is a path going down to the Gorto Parish Church, another place that is unmissable. On the way back to San Martin, one could stop by the Pleif di Guart Museum as well as to the Planelas e Scugjelas exhibition in Cella – Cristiana draws a route around Ovaro, while believing that traditions, as well as the past itself should become a resource to promote this territory which still has many, many stories to tell.