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“Ferragosto is an Italian holiday celebrated on August 15″ (source: Wikipedia)
But it’s far more than a feast day on the calendar; it’s a sort of.. symbol of being Italian, as much as (guess what..) spaghetti.
People here tend to organize their summer vacations “around” the day of ferragosto: this is the time of the year when offices, shops, (almost) everything!.. close.
I think it’s somehow similar to British “Bank Holiday”, but much more chaotic: millions of Italians storm holiday resorts, usually altogether. That’s why the expression “middle august freeway queues” represents another feature of Italian culture.
People who decide not to spend their summer vacations around the 15th of August.. they have two options: to venture a oneday trip (here in Sardinia would mean fighting to place your beach towel in a overcrowded beach) or to have a satisfying and relaxed lunch with friends.
This year we chose the second option.
Teresa’s fairy hands composed a marvellous seafood symphony (pictured above: rice with mussels, shrimps, micro-octopuses and chopped vegetables / king prawns + oil, garlic, parsley, just came out of the oven; these photos don’t do justice at all, but.. just to get the idea), and the cold white wine did a great job of accompaniment.
Ferragosto is a state of mind: whatever you’re doing, wherever you are, the only important thing is that.. you’re not working and you’re having a good time, better if laid down on a deck chair, under the sun.

That’s why I chose “Reality Check” by Schneider TM.
Hope you like it.

Schneider TM - Reality Check (2002)