In Joppolo Giancaxio, an ancient popular religious tradition has always endured, and it continues to be carried on to this day. Thanks to the extraordinary dedication of many, the Sacred Representation of the Passion is brought to life with remarkable beauty and emotional intensity. The script performed is a shortened version of the poetic work “Il Riscatto di Adamo“ by Filippo d’Orioles. The most significant scenes of the Via Crucis are staged through the streets of the town, featuring actors, extras, and the Choros.

The Passion of Christ in Joppolo represents a moment of profound spirituality, and it is also a powerful opportunity to rediscover the value of tradition, historical memory, and the intangible cultural heritage of the community. The effort involves the entire population and local institutions, with the shared aim of keeping alive a performance that, for over two centuries, has united faith, art, and community.

The representation is so deeply rooted and meaningful that it was anticipated on the Saturday before Palm Sunday, in order to become a standalone event and a symbolic expression of Joppolo’s identity. The spiritual intensity tied to the event is such that, in the most recent edition, when local lament singers were no longer available, the traditional “laments” were entrusted to the lamenters’ group from nearby Giardina Gallotti, so as not to lose an essential component of the performance.

This tradition is historically certified as far back as 1807. The historical significance of this performance is documented in a contract dated May 7, 1807, preserved in the archive of the Mother Church of Joppolo. In this document, Don Francesco Vella formally commits to ensuring the continuity of the event, establishing a lifelong endowment to cover the costs of the production and providing the local actors with a covered theatre and necessary stage equipment.

This representation deserves permanent safeguarding, as it embodies a true symbol of identity for the territory.

 

This element has been included in the Register of Intangible Heritage of local interest of the Municipality of Joppolo Giancaxio, as part of Intervention 5 “Activation of the Observatory on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Territory through the application of the REIL methodology – Register of Intangible Heritage of Local Interest”, within the “Mito, storia e tradizioni agropastorali” project, funded by the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), Mission: Digitalisation, innovation, competitiveness, culture and tourism, Component: Tourism and culture 4.0, Investment 2.1 “Attractiveness of villages.” CUP: E69I22000140006.