This Thursday the festival of the snakes will again happen at Cocullo in Abruzzo as it has each year on the first Thursday of May from at least as far back as 1392. It still has an impact when I think back to when I saw it twelve years ago. The crowds, the food, the anticipation, the snakes… Most of all, I came away with a feeling of euphoria. I mentioned in Mezza Italiana that I reached out and touched one of the snakes (it was one of those held in the third last picture). I wasn’t sure how I’d be around literally hundreds of snakes for the first time but I have to say I felt compassion for them more than fear. The last picture is a painting Estella Canziani did of the festival for San Domenico back in 1913. Compared to when I was there 92 years later, it seemed little had changed…
Zoë Boccabella 
My friend who lives in Roma attended this festa a few years ago and sent me photos of herself draped in snakes. Ewwww. Like Indiana Jones, I am not fond of snakes, but the photos of the festa were amazing. I’m not sure my heart could cope with being surrounded by so many snakes (or any) but it seems like it would be quite the experience! Ciao, Cristina
Hi Cristina, it’s certainly an experience and definitely one I’d recommend. Although I wasn’t too worried about the snakes, I’m not certain I’d drape them over me. It was amazing to see young toddlers in prams holding snakes or with them around their necks. I mostly felt for the snakes I must admit! Zoe x