La rievocazione storica
della Passione di Cristo
Five hundred figures and homage to Giotto’s Resurrection: the tradition of the Passion of Christ is renewed in Grassina
On the evening of Good Friday, next April 18, the spectacular Way of the Cross returns to the town of Bagno a Ripoli. Between processions through the village and scenes acted out on Calvary Hill, an entire community mobilized for the performance promoted by the Tourist Activity Center and the administration.
On the evening of Good Friday, next April 18, the spectacular Way of the Cross returns. In the municipality of Bagno a Ripoli. Between parades in the village and scenes acted out on Calvary Hill, an entire community mobilized for the performance sponsored by the Tourist Activity Center and the administration.
The 42nd edition dedicated to the memory of Novella Calvelli
Five hundred figures and a tribute to Giotto’s “Resurrection,” the Passion of Christ tradition is renewed in Grassina.
On the evening of Good Friday, next April 18, the spectacular Way of the Cross returns to the town of Bagno a Ripoli. Between processions through the village and scenes acted out on Calvary Hill, an entire community mobilized for the performance promoted by the Tourist Activity Center and the administration.
The 42nd edition dedicated to the memory of Novella Calvelli
Bagno a Ripoli (FI), April 2, 2025
The miracle of the “Resurrection of as it was painted by Giotto in the fresco preserved in the Scrovegni Chapel will become gestures, emotions and faces in the flesh with the Grassina Historical Reenactment, one of the oldest representations of the Passion of Christ with origins dating back to the 17th century, which returns on Good Friday evening, April 18, in the town of Bagno a Ripoli, just outside Florence.
The tribute to the 14th-century artist, with a tableau vivant performed by the actors who will stage the Stations of the Cross, will accompany the subsequent rebirth of Christ, opening the doors to the Easter celebrations.
But that will not be the only novelty for this new edition of the Passion Play, organized by the Grassina Tourist Activity Center – Cat Odv with the support of the municipal administration, which every year since 1982, with the only interruption of pandemic, draws thousands of people. Indeed, the evocative scene will also be re-enacted. Of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem welcomed by a jubilant crowd.
Bringing to life the magic of the Historical Reenactment are dozens of actors and five hundred participants of all ages in period costumes: an entire village, different generations, who for almost half a century have been mobilizing to offer a choral representation of great charm and beauty recreating environments and characters from two thousand years ago. The event, as per tradition, consists of two distinct moments: the Procession in the streets and main square of
Grassina starting at 9:15 p.m., directed by directors Alessio Antongiovanni and Susanna Forconi , and the scenes acted out on Calvary Hill, in the locality of Bubè, starting at 9:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m., directed by directors Daniele Torrini and Antonio Bernini Bernini.
As for the actors, playing Jesus during the procession will be Lorenzo Casalsoli, during the acting scenes on Calvary Riccardo Matteuzzi (secretary of Cat Odv) and on the cross Paolo Lepri. Fabian Cecchi and Sabrina Campagnucci will play Pontius Pilate and Procula during the scenes, Marco Pellegrini and Lisa Vanchetti during the procession. Viola Quinti will return to play Mary during the scenes. Simona Degl’Innocenti will play Veronica who rescues and dries Jesus in the falls of the Passion. Alessandro Conti will be Longinus who pierces Jesus on the cross to ascertain his death.
This edition of the Re-enactment will be dedicated to the memory of Novella Calvelli, a young grassinese for many years figurant of the Re-enactment, who passed away prematurely like her father Alessandro, former deputy mayor of Bagno a Ripoli, and her brother Subramani, who have always been souls and active members of Cat.
The calendar of side events is rich. A moment of reflection on the cultural value of the Passion will be the conference “The Importance of Historical Reenactment and Reconstruction Events in the Modern World: Enhancement, Culture and Development,” organized by Cat for Saturday, April 12, at 4 p.m. Appointment in the Municipal Library (via di Belmonte 38, Ponte a Niccheri) with numerous guests and speakers coordinated by Cat President Daniele Locardi. Scheduled to speak are mayor Francesco Pignotti, Florentine history and traditions expert Luciano Artusi, president of the States General of the
Historical Reenactments and director of the Florentine Historical Parade and Soccer Filippo Giovannelli, regional councilwoman Fiammetta Capirossi, former mayor Luciano Bartolini, president of Europassion for Italy Flavio Sialino and the heads of the IC Caponnetto and IC Mattei, Maria Luisa Rainaldi and Amalia Bergamasco (free admission).
Sunday 13 April at 4:30 pm the Grassina ACLI will host the concert of the Cherubini Philharmonic (free admission). And also at the Grassina ACLI from Tuesday 15 until Easter Monday, the drawings and paintings of the artist Mario Moretti from Ripolese will be on display. Shops and workshops will also participate in the event with the Window Competition, which will be decorated according to the theme for the historical reenactment. The initiative, promoted by the natural shopping center “Grassina e le sue Botteghe” proposes the following themes this year: “Embrace Kindness” Kindness”, to invite people to reflect on the small gestures that improve the community, “The Strength of Altruism”, to enhance the free gesture and taking care of others, “Gift and Sacrifice”, to evoke the profound meaning of Easter.
The Historical Reenactment of Grassina – The Passion of Good Friday is organized by the Grassina Tourist Activity Center – Cat Odv with the support and patronage of the Municipality of Bagno a Ripoli. The event takes place with the support and patronage of the Tuscany Region, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Municipality of Florence and Europassione per l’Italia. The event takes place thanks to the logistical contribution of about 150 volunteers belonging to all the main Civil Protection associations in the area, coordinated by Andrea Quinti (vice president Cat Odv) and Mario Pagliai Pagliai, in collaboration with the Municipal Police.
Info and ticket purchase:
www.catgrassina.it or www.eventbrite.it
To purchase a physical ticket:
Newsstand Books and Newspapers Piazza Umberto I – Grassina
Edicolandia Via Chiantigiana – Grassina
Info Point Tourist Office Bagno a Ripoli – 338 4926482.
