by Nina Vaclavikova
Interview: Trieste deputy mayor, Serena Tonel
The town of Opicina, perched on the Karst plateau above Trieste, is celebrating its patron saint, St. Bartholomew the Apostle, with a program of religious ceremonies, cultural displays, and family entertainment running through Sunday, August 24.
The festival, organized by local merchants and the parish of St. Bartholomew with support from the City of Trieste, has long been a late-summer fixture, balancing devotion with community life.
Friday, August 22 will see the opening of Con il filo in mano, an exhibition of lace and embroidery near the parish church starting at 5 p.m., with demonstrations by the Slovene Cultural Circle SKD Tabor. At 6 p.m., children’s entertainment begins with inflatable games and face painting, while at 6:30 p.m. the Trieste Chess Academy will host a tournament on the parish square, offering lessons for beginners and competitions for more experienced players. All young participants will also receive a free ice cream from Gelateria Arnoldo.
Saturday, August 23 starts at 8 a.m. with the flea market Un pozzo di occasioni, stretching along Via Nazionale, Strada per Vienna, and Via di Prosecco. Known for antiques, collectibles, and artisanal crafts, the market remains one of the festival’s most popular draws. At 5 p.m., the lace exhibition reopens, while from 6 to 9:30 p.m. children can enjoy games, inflatable rides, and shows by local entertainers. At 7 p.m., a bilingual Mass will be celebrated at St. Bartholomew’s, followed by a community gathering on the church square.
Sunday, August 24, the feast day itself, begins at 9 a.m. with a Mass in Slovene sung by the Sv. Jernej choir, followed by a solemn procession around the parish church. At 11 a.m., a Mass in Italian will be celebrated, accompanied by the choir Chi canta prega due volte.
At the festival’s presentation in Trieste’s City Hall, Deputy Mayor Serena Tonel highlighted its role in strengthening local ties, while Nadia Bellina, president of the merchants’ consortium, called it “a celebration where devotion meets daily life.”
For Opicina, the Feast of St. Bartholomew is not only a religious observance but also an annual gathering that brings together neighbors, artisans, and families in a tradition deeply rooted in the town’s identity.
