The 'Fuochi di San Antonio' or 'Fires of Saint Anthony' is an ancient festival of folklore which takes place across south Italy every 17th January from Puglia to Sardinia, but also Abruzzo and Molise where it has a profound meaning. Essentially, discarded old wood collected by local children is set alight in strategic bonfires around the towns.

The parish priest blesses the pyre closest to the church, then takes a torch to each pyre in turn. The local population congregate around the fires and wistfully tell old stories and anticipate the future.

The fires also take place in Sardinia on the eve of the 17th, the day which honors Saint Anthony. Bonfires are also lit and people celebrate throughout the night. The fires are made of different wood depending on the village eg rosemary brushwood or large hollow tree trunks called 'sas tuvas'. The gathering of the firewood is a ritual in itself and begins several days before.