🍷 Zuppa Festival – Vejano: Tradition, Devotion, and Flavors from Times Gone By

In Vejano, at the heart of Tuscia, the ancient Zuppa Festival is celebrated each year — a feast that smells of bread, wine, and collective memory.A simple yet authentic event, it honors Saint Orsio, the patron saint and protector of the farming community.

🏛️ Origins and Meaning

The festival has its roots in medieval rural tradition, when bread and wine were the foundation of daily survival.As an act of devotion and gratitude, villagers began offering bread soaked in wine to the faithful outside the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Suffrage.

Even today, this gesture holds deep symbolic value: to share bread is to renew the bonds of community and faith.

📜 Festival Rituals

• ⛪ Religious celebration: Solemn mass in honor of Saint Orsio

• 🍞 Zuppa distribution: On the churchyard steps of the Madonna del Suffragio, slices of bread are soaked in local red wine and shared with all participants

• 🎶 Music and conviviality: Folk songs, accordions, and joyful community gatherings complete the atmosphere

📅 When Does It Take Place?

The Zuppa Festival is held twice a year:

📌 Month	📆 Period
January	During the winter feast of Saint Orsio
August	As part of the summer celebrations

(Exact dates vary annually, based on the local religious calendar.)

🍷 Bread, Wine, and the Spirit of Community

Vejano’s zuppa is more than just a dish — it’s a collective ritual that celebrates:

• 🥖 Generosity: food shared with all, no matter their background

• 🍷 Gratitude: for the harvests and blessings received

• 🎉 Festivity: a heartfelt moment of connection across generations

🏞️ The Atmosphere of Vejano

During the festival, the village comes alive:

• 🛍️ Craft markets: featuring local specialties, wines, and traditional sweets

• 🎶 Folk music: with bands and accordions filling the streets

• 🔥 Bonfires and fire pits: especially in the winter edition, warming both body and spirit

✨ Why You Should Join

Attending Vejano’s Zuppa Festival is a rare chance to:

• Discover the genuine essence of ancient traditions

• Experience a true sense of belonging and shared celebration

• Taste the simple, rich flavors of authentic Tuscia

Come to Vejano, where every piece of bread tells a story,and every drop of wine is a blessing of friendship. 🍞🍷