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Every June for centuries, Pisa and its leaning tower have been illuminated by thousands of candles and oil lamps to celebrate its patron saint, Ranieri, in one of the most atmospheric festivals in Tuscany.

But tomorrow night, for the first time, participation in the Luminara festival will be compulsory under a new city law, with police set to roam the twinkling city to slap fines of up to €500 [£420] on anyone caught without a candle in their window.

But some Pisans are furious, especially since the law requires non-Christians to take part in the Luminara. "You can't require people to celebrate a saint with a candle, and you can't deny people the freedom not to participate in a festival," said Alfonso Maurizio Iacono, head of literature and philosophy at Pisa University.

www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/15/luminara-festival-pisa-italy

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