Display of sugar-coated almonds, called “confetti”, representing fruit and flowers in Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy
To an Italian, confetti (singular confetto) are sugar-coated almonds used as celebratory gifts. Known to the Romans in 500BC, their manufacture came to Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy, now acknowledged as their modern birthplace in the 15th century. Instead of almonds the core or anima of confetti can also be hazels, pistachios, cinnamon, chocolate, nougat, marzipan, coffee beans or candied fruit They are tied to paper wire or material to represent flowers, insects and birds. White confetti in a small tulle bag are given as favours to wedding, first communion and confirmation guests Other colours: silver for twenty-fifth anniversaries, sky-blue or pink for christenings, red for graduations, green for engagements, multicoloured for birthdays. Confetti-making courses are available at the Museo dell'Arte e della Tecnologia Confettiera Museum of Sugared Almond Art and Technology, a national monument. Pelino and di Carlo are the two largest, oldest manufacturers of confetti. The town of Sulmona, population 25 000, lying between Rome on Italy's west coast and Pescara on the Adriatic, came into being in pre-Roman times. Birthplace of Roman poet Ovid in 43BC. Its Piazza Garibaldi, formerly Maggiore, is one of the largest squares in Italy and contains the 100m 21-arch Swabian Aqueduct built in 1256AD. A Palio-style medieval festival and horse-race, the Giostra Cavalleresca, first run in 1484, takes place each year late July. At Easter, the statue of Madonna che Scappa is carried at a fast run across Piazza Garibaldi in order to catch up with a statue of the risen Christ on the other side.
Size: 3785px × 4950px
Location: Sulmona, Abruzzo, Italy
Photo credit: © Robin Chapman / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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