LULU LOLO
as
MOTHER CABRINI OF THE CHIENA
MADRE CABRINI DELLA’CHIENA
Performed at
THE INTERNATIONAL MULTIMEDIA ART FESTIVAL
REVIEW OF THE WATER 2007/RASSEGNA DELL’ACQUA
Città di Campagna, Italia/Campagna, Italy
August 4-16, 2007
For
the Festival of the Review of the Water LuLu LoLo performed as Mother
Cabrini of the Chiena recreating a childhood ritual of Mother Cabrini
(Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, The Saint of the Immigrants) who
made paper boats, filled them with flower petals and sent them floating
down the river dreaming that the flower petals were missionaries
sailing out into the world.
The highlight of the Festival of the Chiena is the
diversion of water from the river Tenza into the historic streets
of Campagna—a reenactment of a custom from ancient Rome and
Greece in which the Gods were said to purify the city.
In a daylight performance LuLu as Mother Cabrini
gathered flower petals and filled her hand-crafted paper boats floating
them down the River Tenza.
On August 16th the last evening of the Festival LuLu
as Mother Cabrini launched paper boats carrying lighted candles
like tiny stars sailing on the flowing water.
LuLu LoLo performed wearing the habit of the Missionary
Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. LuLu was honored to be wearing
a veil made of fabric given to her for these performances by the
Sisters of St. Cabrini Home,West Park, NY.
In her performances LuLu paid homage to Mother Cabrini
who sailed in 1899 from Italy to New York City on a boat with six
Missionary Sisters and 1,500 immigrants—her mission to care
for the Italian immigrants in America. LuLu also paid homage to
her Grandparents who came to America from the towns of Melfi and
San Fele in the region of Potenza in Basilicata near Campagna, Italy.
LuLu also honored the many immigrants in the world who leave (flee)
one land for another. |
