The month of May in Craco had two significant celebrations reflecting the centuries old traditions of the town. On the last Sunday in April the statue of the Madonna della Stella was taken by a “processione” from her chapel to reside in the church of San Nicola Vescovo (Chiesa Madre) in the heart of Craco Vecchio. During the subsequent week daily Masses and rosaries were said to her there. Then on the first Saturday of May a Mass was said in honor of San Nicola followed by a procession starting at the Chiesa Madre and winding through Craco Vecchio before returning. The photograph to the right shows a 1960’s era procession at the Piazza Largo Vittorio Emanuele II, the square that was highlighted in the January newsletter.
San Nicola was Craco’s patron saint for over 700 years until the relic of San Vincenzo was brought to the town by the Friars at St. Peter’s Monastery. The townspeople decided to maintain their devotion to both saints and integrated them into their lives.
The next day the entire Sunday was dedicated to the Madonna della Stella. Starting with a Mass at Chiesa Madre, then a procession throughout the town carrying the statue back to the her chapel ending with activities there. The Society was fortunate to receive a series of photographs of a procession taken by Sal & Rosa Francavilla during a 1962 visit to Craco. These photos are available by clicking here.  Besides showing the statue, cirio, and procession the scenes along the route gives views of Craco before the frana.
Today these events are celebrated differently. The statue of the Madonna is now brought in procession to the small chapel of San Vincenzo in the Sant’Angelo section of Craco Vecchio where it resides for a week. Daily masses and rosaries are said there and on the first Sunday of May a procession returns the statue to her chapel. On the day before, a Mass and procession for San Nicola takes place within Craco Peschiera. Later in the year, another celebration for the Madonna della Stella is held on the second Sunday of August when many Cracotans return home for vacation. The statue of the Madonna is brought down to Peschiera beforehand, carried through the new town in procession and followed by a fair.
The long history and story of this revered relic is told in Omaggio alla Stella an Italian language publication produced by the Associazione di Volontariato Colibri.
 

---

 

 

News from Craco ~

 

For those who traveled to Craco on the Society trip you will recall the kind attention paid to the group by Franco Tuzio, the police officer who served as an escort. His son, Giancarlo, who is a music teacher has two beautiful pieces which can be seen and heard by going to his YouTube page at CHENDOTWO.   Bravissimo!

 

                                             

                               Giancarlo Tuzio                                                   Franco Tuzio

                                                                    

A press conference was held in Craco announcing the WMF Watch List application. The event was written up in the La Gazzetta di Basilicata and can be viewed by clicking on the hyperlink.

 

---

 

Society News

Last month we mentioned the project started by Emanuele Tammaro to produce a new documentary about Craco. In addition to visiting the town this month he also tentatively committed to bring a filming crew to the October Reunion to capture the events there and also record stories of the Crachesi in North America. This represents a unique opportunity to capture and preserve the history of our immigrant ancestors and their efforts to assimilate into a new life. Although we haven’t worked out the details yet about the recording sessions, please start planning to bring your stories, photographs and mementos to the Reunion.
May 29th marks the second anniversary of the Society’s incorporation. From 55 Founding members at our initial meeting in August 2007 to 298 members today is a wonderful milestone and a tribute to our roots in the foothills of southern Italy.

 

 

---

 

About Our Members

 

Craco is about 40 miles from the sea but those who have been there know the Gulf of Taranto is visible from the Tower in Craco Vecchio on a clear day. And although it would seem there is little connection to the sea many Cracotans have developed a close relationship with it. Perhaps it was due to the long voyage from Italy to their new homes in North America, but the recent headlines about piracy serve to illuminate the connection.
Ryan Oleksy, the son of member Nancy Mormando Oleksy, is a Marine officer serving aboard the USS Boxer in a multi-national task force patrolling the Gulf of Aden on pirate patrol. It seems Ryan’s grandfather, Leonard Mormando, also had an affinity for the sea, serving in the US Navy during WWII.
More information about the efforts of the Boxer is available from the Stars & Stripes website, which is available by clicking on the logo below.
We take this opportunity to express our great appreciation to Ryan, the other members of the Society in service, and their families for the sacrifice and commitment to protecting us.

 

 

 

 

---

 

Craco Ancestry Database

Over the past two years the Society has been adding to the database of family trees as we received request for information about individuals from Craco. This now contains over 700 names of individuals who were born, married or died in Craco.
Most of the individuals were born before 1900 but they usually connected to individuals in the 20th century.
A list of names in this database is now available on the website Genealogy page, or by clicking here.

 

 

---

---