On July 26, 1805, a tremendous earthquake struck most of Molise’s municipalities. Among them was Jelsi, which, miraculously, reported far less damage and loss of life than neighboring towns. The inhabitants attributed this happening to the protection of the saint of the day, Saint Anne.
From that date, then, every year they began to donate to the saint what they held most dear, with the same color and value as gold, wheat. Thus was born the traditional Wheat Festival of Jelsi in honor of St. Anne during which this element is celebrated with floats made with wheat treated in different ways.
From the weeks leading up to the festival the entire population is busy, from the women in the streets making braids that will be used as streamers to the rest of the population in the garages making, in great secrecy, the floats.
Out of this tradition comes the Mufeg, “Grain Museum,” located just outside the village next to the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Here, in addition to preserving some of the most beautiful floats and achievements, showing period tools and a video to fully understand the festival, grain workshops are also held.
MuFeG’s didactics is a bridge between the museum and schools, as well as for those who want to learn about this tradition.Through manual activities, people come into contact with the material, discovering the techniques of processing ears of grain and the traditions associated with this element. The goal is not only to convey the point of view of a people, but also to create a lasting bond with the public, inviting them to return and experience the museum as it continues to evolve.
During the tour, the colors of wheat are explored at different stages of processing, with a playful approach inspired by the crafts of the past. Through the use of hands and various materials, a small picture representing the shades of wheat is made. The operator then leads a visual journey through photographic images, telling the story of the wagons, which will become the starting point for graphic reworking and the creation of an original story.