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Thousands take part in city's 140-year-old Italian procession

Paul BurnellNorth West
Paul Burnell/BBC The 2019 procession leaves George Henry Leigh Street in Ancoats with a large crucifix, the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Bishop of Salford at its head.Paul Burnell/BBC
Organisers say "everyone is welcome" at the Madonna Del Rosario procession

More than 2,000 people will parade through Manchester later in a tradition begun by the city's Italian community nearly 140 years ago.

The Madonna Del Rosario procession is part of a display of religious faith but also a celebration of Italian identity with pride of place given to a 5ft (1.5m) statue of the Virgin Mary dating back nearly 100 years.

It begins at 13:00 BST in George Leigh Street, Ancoats, an area once known as Little Italy due to the Italian immigrants who settled there.

The procession, which began in 1888, leaves Ancoats with association officials and civic dignitaries at its head, led by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and the Bishop of Salford.

Paul Burnell/BBC Men from Manchester Italian Association carry a life-sized statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary covered with white lilies past Manchester Central Library.Paul Burnell/BBC
The parade features a statue of the Virgin Mary dating back nearly 100 years

The procession involves the carrying of religious emblems – The Madonna, The Calvary, St Anthony and banners – from Ancoats across Manchester city centre, passing the Town Hall into St Peter's Square around 14:30.

After a pause it returns back to George Leigh Street to finish with a short blessing outside the former St Michael's Church.

Paul Burnell/BBC Nuns in Green walking with a statue of Our Lady of Revelation brought over from Rome as they walk past new builds in Little Italy, Manchester.Paul Burnell/BBC
Manchester-born Sister Emanuela Edwards (second right) head of the Vatican Museum's education section has taken part in past events.

Manchester Italian Association president Mrs Lorraine Taurasi said participation was not restricted to Italians and it would be joined by four pipe bands and people from scores of Catholic churches reflecting the city's Irish, Polish, Indian, Philippines and African communities.

"Everyone is welcome - we are the largest procession outside of London," she said.

Paul Burnell/BBC A red, white and green Italian flag and a yellow and white Vatican flag with the HOly See's coat of arms fly from a house in Little Italy, Ancoats, Manchester.Paul Burnell/BBC
People fly Italian and Vatican flags in George Leigh Street, Manchester - nicknamed Little Italy
Paul Burnell/BBC Vice President of Manchester Italian Association Carmine Rea with black tie, white shirt, black suit and a sash with the red, white and green colours of the Italian flag carries a large bouquet of white lilies.Paul Burnell/BBC
Vice President of Manchester Italian Association, Carmine Rea, prepares to add another floral tribute to the procession statue

The procession in keeping with the festas held in Italy to celebrate saints has only been halted by the World War Two and the Covid pandemic.

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