Giglio Society of East Harlem 2024

The Giglio Society of East Harlem 2024

The Giglio Society of East Harlem is a devoted group of individuals who have dedicated their lives to honor Saint Antonio. Their love and devotion is on display each year during the Annual Italian Festival held in East Harlem, New York.

The Giglio is a 75 to 85 foot tall wooden structure with a papier-mâché face adorned with beloved saints and colorful flowers. Most prominent of the flowers is the Lily, which is called a Giglio in Italian hence the name of the structure. Giglio are built in honor of a town's patron saint and carried on the shoulders of approximately 120 men in a ritual that dates back to 409AD in the town of Nola Italy.

On the platform just above the base of the Giglio sits a multi-piece band along with several singers. The music is an integral part of the dancing of the Giglio as it inspires the lifters (also known as the paranza in Italian) to take on the burdening weight of the Giglio and band and dance it in harmony to the music being played.

00:00 The Giglio Society of East Harlem 2024
00:23 The Giglio of 108th Street Song ìLa festa dei ragazzi della 108th streetî
03:56 Capos shouting commands to the paranza
05:01 ìThe Voice of the Giglioî Jimmy Alleva
05:51 Danny Vecchiano and the fabulous Giglio band
06:20 Capos shouting commands to the paranza
07:18 Number One Capo Megan Zangaglia
09:06 Capos shouting commands to the paranza
10:52 Procession of Saint Anthony
12:37 National Anthems of USA and Italy
15:03 Giglio first lift: Megan Zangaglia
17:17 Giglio girls lift
21:47 Tommy Sanfratello lift
24:19 Johnny Z lift
28:32 Church lift
30:27 Victor Dellicurti lift
35:59 Louie Z lift
39:14 Gerard Madio lift
41:17 Phil Bruno lift
43:16 Nick Alleva lift
48:35 Nicky Tamburrino lift
52:33 Henry Lervolino lift
56:14 John Malerio lift
58:11 Anthony Coppola lift
01:00:13 Mike Calo lift
01:03:08 Joey Rinaldi lift
01:07:34 Mikey Koehler lift
01:09:16 Bob Maida lift
01:11:13 Dino Cerrato lift
01:13:14 Steve Guarino lift
01:14:06 Phil Alleva lift
01:15:48 Anthony lift
01:20:03 Jack Rizzo lift
01:22:17 Tommy Liquori lift
01:25:57 Jimmy Chesnos lift
01:26:53 Gregory Esposito lift
01:28:57 John Catenacci lift
01:31:51 James N lift
01:34:50 Anthony Torello lift
01:37:06 Danny Vecchiano lift
01:40:41 Patrick DiCanio lift
01:43:16 Nicholas Franato lift
01:47:08 Gerard Grossi lift
01:48:33 Joey Esposito lift
01:50:27 Joey Lacerra lift
01:54:05 ìThe Voice of the Giglioî Jimmy Alleva
01:57:48 Giglio final lift: Megan Zangaglia