Written by: Allen Horton
Greenville kicks off Upstate International Month with a tradition older than America itself.
Once a year, the belfries of the city skyline shake off their dust. From Alta Vista to Nicholtown, from West End to Overbrook, Greenville swells with tintinnabulation. March 1st marks the beginning of Upstate International Month, a month-long celebration of the rich cultural diversity present here in the Upstate. On March 1st, at 12pm, bells will ring from all corners of the city in an homage to Greenville’s sister city, Bergamo.
Bergamo sits in view of the Alpine foothills. It is one of the largest cities in Lombardy, and one of the oldest in all of Italy. Originally settled by the Cenomani, a Celtic tribe living in Northern Italy, it was taken over by the Romans in the early half of the first century AD. In the 12th century, the city joined the Lombard League and was instrumental in opposing the Holy Roman Emperor, Fredrick I Barbarossa, during his fifth military expedition into Italy. Later, the city’s couriers were organized into the Thurn und Taxis postal service made famous in Thomas Pynchon’s 1966 novel, The Crying of Lot 49.
Tradition dictates that every evening at 10pm, bells throughout the city must chime 100 times. This signifies when in olden times Bergamo’s gates were closed at night.
As winter draws to a close, Greenvillians are encouraged to admire the many traditions that go into making Greenville a truly international city. Ciao!
Anyone wishing to participate in this year’s Ringing of 100 Bells should contact info@upstateinternational.org before March 1st.
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