Though it may sound like an Adam Sandler inspired movie title or reality television series, nothing could be further from this Sunday's event. The Our Lady of Mount Carmel festivities kicked off July 7th, this marking it's 123rd year of celebration. The tradition started in 1903, when southern Italian immigrants first held their transplanted feast in the Williamsburg, Brooklyn neighborhood.
The festival is held to honor both the Bishop Paolino and the saint Madonna Della Carmine (Our Lady of Mount Carmel). Around 410 AD North African pirates overran the southern Italian town of Nola. In the skirmish, Bishop Paolino escaped into the woods with some of the villagers and upon returning was told the tragic tale of the days events. He learned from a woman who's son had been abducted into slavery. Paolino offered himself in exchange for the boy and was shipped off, a prisoner of the brigands. While in North Africa, word of the selflessness of Paolino was relayed to a Turkish sultan. The sultan stepped in and bartered for the freedom of this saintly man. Through the sultan's efforts, Paolino and his paesani, were freed.
Upon Paolino's return the villagers greeted him with lillies (in Italian, gigli). It became tradition each year to celebrate the return of Paolino and over time it became a competition amongst the tradesman of the Nola village to see who could build the most awe-inspiring display. When the immigrants moved from Nola to what's now Williamsburg, the tradition came with. Today's structure stands at 65 feet tall, weighing four tons, and requires 112 men to hoist it five blocks down Havemeyer St.
The first dancing of the Giglio will take place this Sunday, July 9th. Below is a video showing the scene, starts about :30 in.
