Fireworks (Hanabi) - December 29, 2014

Christmas season
fire rains from the sky
in Arco

winter feasting
 illuminating the castle
fireworks

ushering in the year
through out the penisula
fireworks

© G.s.k. ‘14

Fireworks may not be a modern kigo as we discovered from Carpe Diem Haiku Kai .. but they are an integral part of the seasonal celebrations in December throughout Italy.  The brief video was prepared by a visitor who came to Arco's Christmas Fair on the evening of December 7th ... the 8th is a holiday in Italy and the beginning of the Christmas Season (the Immaculate Conception).  Arco shoots off about 45 minutes of fireworks from its castle.  On the 31st New Year's Eve fireworks are shot off everywhere (publicly and privately) to usher in the New Year

Castle - Haibun - October 7, 2014

Today's retrò post from Carpe Diem Haiku Kai is castle which was first posted in February of 2013.

 

 

Arco's Castle Haibun

 

The valley I live in  (Sarca Valley) sprawls under the ruins of a castle which sits on a mount, like a brooding hen.  It's interesting to imagine what life must have been for so many long centuries.  Last weekend, I visited the castle once again.  It was a special occasion as one of the pathways had been renovated making the walk around the grounds safer.  The city council organized guided tours for the occasion with various experts on the history of the castle, but also about the flora and geological period of our valley.  I was intrigued that the Conti D'Arco family originally came from Mantua, a city that I lived in years ago and of which I have fond memories. It gave me a feeling somehow of continuity.

 

 

brooding in darkness
Arco's castle remembers
days gone by

 Sarca Valley under Arco's Castle

 

The original photo of the above