Join us for a New Pilgrimage Dedicated to the Traditions of the Black Madonna in Southern Italy This Summer! Learn special drumming, chanting & dance at an amazing workshop in the Region of Naples
in Campania by the sea & mountains!
Workshop Dates:
Starting in the Amalfi coast, we will begin our journey on July 31 through August 8. We will be leaving on August 9th.
Special Feature
Collaboration with internationally renowned Neapolitan Folk Musician, & classical singer, percussionist teacher Nando Citarella. (see below - www.nandocitarella.it
This new workshop/pilgrimage will be a deep full immersion in the ancient drumming traditions and devotional chants in Honor of the Black Madonna to be fully experienced in the Mother Land, in sacred Mountains and healing waters.
Following Alessandra Belloni’s vision as part of the Black Madonna Center, for the first time, this summer, special students will have the opportunity to study and tour the area of Naples in the region of Campania.
This new powerful journey will introduce and transport students to a time and place where an unbroken and ancient tradition continues today with folk music, processions, devotional drumming, and dance.
Another special feature: Lectures by Egyptologist and Archeologist Armando Mei, about the goddess Isis & The Black Madonna.
As featured in Alessandra's book "Healing Journeys with the Black MAdonna ", Students will also be taken on short pilgrimages to four sacred sites of the Black Madonna:
1. Madonna Avvocata on a Beautiful Mountain on the Amalfi Coast
2. Black Madonna of Positano
3. Feast of the Black Madonna della Neve (August 5th)
4. Black Madonna of Montevergine and Black Madonna of Moiano (August 6 to August 8)
DAY 1 & 2: August 1-2nd
VISIT TO THE BLACK MADONNA DELL’AVVOCATA - spectacular mountain above the Amlafi coast
During the workshops students will study the basic Italian tambourine and frame drumming techniques of different Tammorriata 4/4 rhythm in honor of the Black Madonna and the beautiful & sensual dance done by couples playing castanets. These workshops will take place during the days and some evenings in improvisational Neapolitan style.
These powerful workshops will incoude the special collaboration with Folk Musician, percussionist Neapolitan singer teacher Nando Citarella where students will learn traditional drumming, chanting, and dance dedicated to The Black Madonna.
Alessandra and Nando will start with an introduction on the ancient style of rhythm and dance known as the Tammurriata, which dates back to the rites of the Mother Earth Goddess Cybele, protector also all of gays, and transgenders as well as the Egyptian Goddess Isis, now worshiped as the Black Madonna all over the South of Italy.
Alessandra & Nando will lead participatory chants of devotion to the Sun (Jesce Sole), an ancient healing chant using the Lydian Scale or Neapolitan Scale as well as authentic chants and prayers to the Black Madonna.
DAY 3: August 4th
VISIT TO LA MADONNA DI POSITANO -- the most beautiful town in the Amalfi Coast, where the Goddess Aphrote was worshipped in ancient times
Day 4: August 5th
FEAST OF THE BLACK MADONNA DELLA NEVE
Torre Annunziata/Pompei We’ll catch amazing moments of the unique re-enactment of the discovery and fishing of the Black Madonna, originally found in a large cage in the sea in the year 1350. This feast is held at sunset by sea near the Vesuvius with boats following the Madonna in procession along the coast, blessing the water and the town. This is an ancient ceremony with origins in the worship of the Goddess Aphrodite, and the African Orisha Yemanja, Goddess of Love and the Sea.
Day 5 - August 6th
VISIT TO THE BLACK MADONNA OF MONTEVERGINE
In the region of Irpinia , we will visit the Black Madonna of Montevergine, who is considered the most important of the seven sisters accompanied by the drumming and chanting of Nando Citarella and Alessandra Belloni.
This beautiful Black Madonna known as MAMMA SCHIAVONA, is worshipped in the ancient sacred site of the Earth Goddess Cybele. She continues to be venerated on a high sacred mountain, which pilgrims still climb barefoot today chanting and drumming in her honor. Here the rites of Cybele and Attis, and the transgenders’ devotion of the “femminielli” (young women) was popular in pre-christian times as they are today.
Day 6: August 7th
VISIT TO THE MADONNA DELLA LIBERA
Will end with a visit to the MADONNA DELLA LIBERA, our Lady of Freedom, near Benevento. This is a beautiful and powerful statue which has direct origins to the Egyptian Goddess Isis, as that area, known as Irpinia, was a settlement of the ancient Egyptian with a wide spread worship of Isis, the one who is really the ‘FIRST BLACK MADONNA AND CHILD”.
Here We will also be learning with well known scholar, writer and Egyptologist Armando Mei, now being featured on the GAIA NETWORK IN THE US. He will speak about The Egyptians settlement in Campania , who left a strong esoteric school in the region of Naples.
ABOUT NANDO CITARELLA:
Nando is one of the most important and well known folk musician and classical singers of the revival of Southern Italian Folk Music. He has collaborated with Alessandra Belloni for the last 40 years and is one of her drumming and dance teachers. He has performed with Alessandra & together with John La Barbera and our company I Giullari di Piazza in New York at Symphony Space and Carnegie Hall.)
ACCOMMODATIONS:
5 star hotels with swimming pools and gourmet food
• HOTEL DEI CONGRESSI near the Amalfi coast www.hoteldeicongressi.it
• HOTEL DE LA VILLE located in the mountains of Avellino
www.hoteldeicongressi.it
Total Cost
$2,000 for double occupancy
$2,200 for single occupancy
Registration due immediately $200
https://www.everbutton.com/pay/4834
VENMO & ZELLE also accepted.
Plus hotel deposit to be confirmed.
(30%) by April 10
The Cost Includes:
Special Workshops,
2 meals a day,
Local Transportation,
Bus pick up & drop off at airport of Naples
