FOR PIRANDELLO'S BIRTHDAY, LET'S DO AN ITALIAN TRADITION WITH YOUR KIDS!

The boat of Saint Peter, known as barca di san Pietro in Italian, is a well-known rural tradition in northern Italy, particularly in regions such as Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Trentino, Lombardy, Liguria, and Piedmont. This tradition is also prevalent in certain valleys and territories in north-west Tuscany, including Garfagnana and Val di Lima (province of Lucca), Valleriana (province of Pistoia), and Galciana (province of Prato).

The roots of this tradition can be traced back to the cult of Saint Peter, which became popular in northern Italy during the 18th century, largely due to the influence of Benedictine monks. In some regions and variations, this tradition is also associated with the feast of Saint John the Baptist on 24 June.

The belief's origin is connected to atmospheric phenomena, as they play a crucial role in agricultural crops and fishing.

On the eve of Saints Peter and Paul on 28 June, people place an egg white in a bottle and leave it on the windowsill overnight in the open air. By the next morning, the coagulated albumin forms filaments that resemble the masts and sails of a boat. According to popular folklore, this effect is attributed to Saint Peter, who is believed to shape the egg white into a boat by blowing into the glass container.

Some traditions suggest that the container should be left outside overnight to absorb dew. The occurrence is a result of the temperature fluctuations between day and night, as well as in comparison to the ground where the bottle is positioned, characteristic of early summer, which is ideal for such conditions (assuming the ground has been warmed the previous evening).

This experiment can be conducted on various days and nights during this season. During the cool night, the humidity causes a slight change in the density of the albumin, similar to water, leading to a slight increase and a slow descent to the bottom of the glass container. Simultaneously, the bottom, in contact with the warmth of the ground, initiates upward movement of water molecules through small convective motions, creating the illusion of egg white veils. Furthermore, the effect of the early morning hours contributes to this phenomenon: the albumin reheats, significantly reducing its density and attempting to rise, metaphorically raising the sails.

Certain Venetian proverbs are linked to the celebration of Saints Peter and Paul (with English translations provided):

"It's true, it's true, Saint Peter's boat has arrived."

"If it rains on Saints Peter and Paul, it will rain for an entire year."

The appearance of the "sails" is observed closely, as their tightness or closure is believed to provide insights into the upcoming agrarian year or one's own destiny. In the Garfagnana and the middle Serchio valley, during periods of emigration, the outcome of this tradition was also interpreted as a sign for the sea voyage of those preparing to depart for the Americas.