Feast of San Gennaro

Feast of San Gennaro
Name	Feast of San Gennaro
Frequency	Annual
Location	Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City
Country	United States
People	Italian Americans, Italians

Feast of San Gennaro. The Feast of San Gennaro is a significant annual festival held in honor of Saint Januarius, the Patron saint of Naples, Italy. This celebration is deeply rooted in Italian-American culture, particularly in New York City, where it has been observed for over a century, with notable attendees including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis. The feast is organized by the Figli di San Gennaro (Children of San Gennaro), a non-profit organization founded by Italian immigrants in the early 20th century, with support from the Catholic Church, Archdiocese of New York, and the Italian American Museum.

History of the Feast

The history of the Feast of San Gennaro dates back to the 17th century, when Neapolitan immigrants brought their traditions and customs to the United States, influencing the development of Italian-American culture, as seen in the works of Leonardo Sciascia and Italo Calvino. The feast was initially celebrated in Little Italy, Manhattan, where many Italian immigrants settled, including Enrico Caruso and Rudolph Valentino. Over time, the celebration has evolved, with notable contributions from Italian-American organizations, such as the Order of the Sons of Italy in America and the National Italian American Foundation, which have supported the feast, along with New York City officials, including Mayor Fiorello La Guardia and Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The feast has also been influenced by other Italian festivals, such as the Feast of Saint Joseph and the Feast of the Seven Fishes, which are celebrated by Italian Americans across the United States, including in Boston's North End and Philadelphia's South 9th Street.

Celebration and Traditions

The Feast of San Gennaro is a vibrant celebration that features a range of traditions and activities, including a grand procession, live music, and traditional Italian food, such as pizza, pasta, and cannoli, which are popularized by Italian-American chefs, like Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich. The feast also includes a cannoli-eating contest, a sausage-eating contest, and other games and activities, which are often attended by Italian-American celebrities, such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Lady Gaga. The celebration is also marked by the presence of Italian-American organizations, such as the Italian American Museum and the National Italian American Foundation, which promote Italian-American culture and heritage, with support from Italian institutions, like the Italian Embassy and the Italian Consulate General in New York.

San Gennaro and Italian-American Culture

San Gennaro is an important figure in Italian-American culture, and his feast is a celebration of the community's heritage and traditions, as reflected in the works of Italian-American authors, such as Mario Puzo and Gay Talese. The feast is also an opportunity for Italian Americans to connect with their roots and celebrate their cultural identity, with many attendees tracing their ancestry to Italy, particularly to regions like Campania, Sicily, and Calabria. The feast has been featured in various Italian-American films, such as The Godfather and Do the Right Thing, which showcase the community's traditions and customs, with contributions from Italian-American actors, like Marlon Brando and Danny Aiello.

The Feast in Little Italy, New York City

The Feast of San Gennaro is held annually in Little Italy, Manhattan, a historic Italian-American neighborhood in New York City, which is also home to the Italian American Museum and the Church of San Gennaro. The feast takes place on Mulberry Street, which is closed to traffic during the celebration, and features a range of vendors, restaurants, and cultural attractions, including the Lombardi's Pizza and the Ferrara Bakery, which are popular among Italian-American foodies, like Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay. The feast is also supported by local Italian-American organizations, such as the Little Italy Merchants Association and the Italian American Museum, which promote the community's heritage and traditions, with partnerships from New York City institutions, like the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Food and Drink

The Feast of San Gennaro is renowned for its delicious Italian food and drink, including pizza, pasta, sausages, and cannoli, which are popularized by Italian-American chefs, like Rocco DiSpirito and Giada De Laurentiis. The feast also features a range of traditional Italian desserts, such as zeppole and sfogliatelle, which are made by Italian-American bakers, like Dominique Ansel and Carmine's. In addition to food, the feast offers a variety of Italian drinks, including espresso, cappuccino, and limoncello, which are enjoyed by attendees, including Italian-American celebrities, like Danny DeVito and Martin Scorsese.

Impact and Legacy

The Feast of San Gennaro has a significant impact on the Italian-American community and the city of New York, attracting thousands of visitors each year, including Italian-American tourists, who come to experience the community's heritage and traditions, as reflected in the works of Italian-American authors, like Helen Barolini and Jerre Mangione. The feast also generates significant revenue for local businesses and supports the local economy, with contributions from Italian-American entrepreneurs, like Vince Camuto and Salvatore Ferragamo. The feast has been recognized by New York City officials, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo, who have proclaimed the feast a significant cultural event, with support from Italian institutions, like the Italian Embassy and the Italian Consulate General in New York. The feast has also been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times, The New Yorker, and La Voce di New York, which showcase the community's traditions and customs, with contributions from Italian-American journalists, like Nicholas Gage and Gay Talese.

Category:Italian-American culture