Saint Isidoro\u2019s celebration usually falls on the first sunday after the liturgical commemoration of the Spanish saint. The saint\u2019s cult is very popular in the Tuscia territory. In Latera, Isidoro is the patron saint of the bifolcina<\/em> (a term used to describe a herdmen\u2019s job), of the corporazione dei bifolchi<\/em> (herdsmen association) and most recently, of tractor drivers and, by extension, farmers.
\nFor a long time now, Saint Isidoro\u2019s celebration has been made up of two main moments. The first is a morning procession that starts in Preta square and ends in the church of Saint Sebastiano, passing through via Roma, via Cadorna, Vittorio Veneto square, Via Cavour, via Vittorio Emanuele II and via dell\u2019Osteria.
\nThe procession is led by kids carrying \u201ccerrate<\/em>\u201d, a small metallic shovel mounted on top of a long wooden rod. Tied to these shovels using a red ribbon is the typical \u201cbiscuit\u201d of Saint Isidoro, a sweet bread very common in the area. The \u201ccerrate<\/em>\u201d were normally used to clean the ploughshare and the mouldboard back when plowing was done through animals\u2019 motor power and the use of simple ploughs.
\nThe children are followed by Giovanni Vargas on horseback (owner of the land Isidoro worked for), two yoked cows, the person portraying Saint Isidoro, the celebration committee, a marching band, and as of the last few years, tractors decorated with fresh flower bouquets. Once the procession reaches the church it disperses and the religious mass begins.
\nAfter mass, the horseman playing Giovanni Vargas reprimands Isidoro, his employee, for taking a break from work in order to attend mass. Hereupon Isidoro reassures the owner, revealing that an angel is working in his place.
\nThis scene of typical popular theater ends with a plough drawn by cows, guided by a young man dressed in white angelic attire, digging a small groove.
\nAt the end of the social lunch held at the Museum, there\u2019s an interregional match of offhand poetry in ottava rima<\/em>.
\nThis page offers a selection of photographic evidence gathered by the researchers of the Museo della terra<\/em> of Latera.
\nThe archive is open to the public and available upon request.<\/p>\n<\/div>