Pyrocolengos - Shared Soil
A large Pyrocolengos walked at the Ithaca Parade with the Soil Factory
On May 28, 2026, another version of Pyrocolengos came into being with Soil Factory folks at the Ithaca Parade. The Pyrocolengos here were understood as a shared soil, carrying some of the values of the people who participated in creating the parade costumes and conceptualizing the Soil Factory’s participation. Some costumes were flowers, and because the Pyrocolengos in this case were a shared soil, some participants added flower crowns to their faces while inside the Pyrocolengos.
In the parade context, the Pyrocolengos became an extremely fun and intense experience, with people taking the lead to direct the group in different movements. Being in the Pyrocolengos this time was exhilarating and physically challenging.
The making of these Pyrocolengos was possible because Josi Valle Ellis and Jackie Riccio organized a series of making/preparatory meetings at the Soil Factory, which brought together supportive, talented people who helped sew and paint the Pyrocolengos. I am indebted to everyone who helped make and carry these Pyrocolengos; it was a beautiful experience.
