SORA – Celebrations in honour of Maria SS.ma di Costantinopoli enter their main phase on Thursday, August 27, with a four-day programme combining religious observances and public events promoted by Parrocchia San Giuseppe Artigiano. The festivities will continue until Sunday, August 30, across several locations in the neighbourhood.
Piazza XIII Gennaio, Via Bruno Buozzi, Via Canale Mancini, Via Napoli, Parco Morganti and the Via Carducci parking area will host the civil programme. The main religious events are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Chiesa di Maria SS.ma di Costantinopoli, including the procession with the statue of the Virgin.
Mini Olympics and Kriminal Folk Band on Thursday
The civil programme begins on Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. in Piazza XIII Gennaio with the “Mini Olimpiadi”, an afternoon of games for children and teenagers aged between 6 and 16.
At 9 p.m., Via Bruno Buozzi and Via Canale Mancini will host a live performance by the Kriminal Folk Band, closing the first day of events.
Friday brings comics, dance and music
On Friday, August 28, events will start at 5 p.m. with a doubles briscola tournament in Piazza XIII Gennaio. At the same time, Via Bruno Buozzi and Via Canale Mancini will host an art and comics workshop for children and teenagers aged 6 to 16, led by Professor Umberto Di Passio.
The evening programme begins at 9 p.m. with performances by Felix’s Dance Academy. These will be followed by the FM Show Event, featuring DJ Maurizio Lombardi and Felix.
Motor Expò and the procession on Saturday
Cars and motorcycles will take centre stage on Saturday, August 29, with the “Motor Expò”. The exhibition will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. across the Via Carducci parking area, Parco Morganti and Piazza XIII Gennaio, with an awards ceremony scheduled at the end of the event.
At 5.30 p.m., the Complesso Bandistico Città di Sora will arrive in the Via Bruno Buozzi and Via Canale Mancini area before accompanying the religious procession.
The religious programme at the Chiesa di Maria SS.ma di Costantinopoli will begin at 5.30 p.m. with the Rosary and the singing of the Litany. Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m.
Immediately afterwards, the statue of Maria SS.ma di Costantinopoli will be carried in procession along the main streets of the parish, accompanied by the Complesso Bandistico Città di Sora.
Saturday will end with music. At 9.30 p.m., MBL will perform as part of the “Saltaran Tour”.
The traditional market returns on Sunday
Via Napoli will host the “Antica Fiera di Merci” throughout Sunday, August 30. From 8.30 a.m. until noon, cakes and sweets will also be on sale in Via Bruno Buozzi and Via Canale Mancini.
At 5 p.m., the “Revival di calcio balilla” will feature a team table-football tournament. At the same time, “Sferruzziamo” will bring competitors together for a crochet contest.
At 9 p.m., The Michigan Band will take the stage for the final musical performance of the festivities. The lottery draw is scheduled for 10.30 p.m.
Solemn Mass and Te Deum on the final day
Sunday’s religious observances at the Chiesa di Maria SS.ma di Costantinopoli will begin with Mass at 7 a.m. The Rosary will be recited at 9.30 a.m., followed by Solemn Mass at 10 a.m.
The final religious service is scheduled for 6.30 p.m., with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and adoration, followed by Vespers and the Te Deum of thanksgiving.
