They run barefoot along the paths of the Mount Serra San Giacomo, at an altitude of 902 meters. It happens in Salvitelle, a nativity scene town in the Salerno area.
They call them i 'kamikaze' and they are the competitors who challenge each other barefoot among brambles, thorns and sharp stones to be the first to reach the church and kiss the foot of the simulacrum of the statue of Saint Sebastian Martyr. The special foot race, starting today at 18 pm, takes place every year on the last Sunday of August to honor San Sebastiano Martire.
Anyone can participate, adults and children, as long as they are residents of Salvitelle. After the competition, the 'kamikazes' disinfect their foot wounds by immersing them in tubs of local red wine. The same competitors then challenge each other in Greco-Roman wrestling matches in the evening.
"We are proud - declares the mayor Maria Antonietta Scelza – to continue this traditional event that attracts thousands of tourists and faithful to Salvitelle on the occasion of the celebrations of our patron saint”.
The singular race recalls what happened between the end of 1700 and the beginning of 1800 on Serra San Giacomo, the scene of an exercise of French riflemen. The shepherds of Salvitelle challenged barefoot the French soldiers who, instead, wore heavy boots. Obviously the shepherds, barefoot, promptly overtook the better equipped French.
Article published on 28 August 2022 - 14:07
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