“Jan MMXII” is the world’s largest habit (saio in Italian), unveiled in Assisi during Pope Francis’ visit at the beginning of October.
The habit by Croatian-born artist Igor Borozan was installed on the Rocca Maggiore, Assisi’s highest point.
The saio represents a gigantic Franciscan habit, measuring 21 meters by 9. In order to make it, 550 square meters of raw canvas were used. It weighs 150 kilos.
Borozan worked on the project for five years and says he was inspired by natural elements as well as from reading Saint Francis’ “Canticle of the Sun.”
The simplicity of the saio works in contrast to the world’s complexities in what its author sees as a message of hope.
A dance performance by Livia Massarelli accompanied the unveiling of the habit, which you can see in the video below:
