Before the pictorial I want to throw in a video from LynnK. She assures me that “this is a popular children’s Christmas song in Italy!”
Well…That’s one Italian song I’m not dying for the Guys to sing.
Thought you all might want to see what Christmas looks like “across the pond.”
The Vatican Takes Center Stage
On Christmas Eve, all eyes turn to Vatican City where the Pope says Midnight Mass. St. Peter’s Square displays a life-size Nativity scene as well as a 100-foot Christmas tree. While the Vatican is the center of Rome’s Christmas celebrations, there are many more ways to enjoy Christmas in Rome including markets, a Nativity museum and special church services.
~~~
Milan’s Magical Holiday Feel
Milan’s cathedral (Duomo) looks magical during the Christmas season. The city of Milan is famous for its shopping and that’s no different at holiday time when Christmas markets fill the city. Locations include Castello Sforzesco,Piazza Sant’Ambrogio and the streets leading up to the Duomo.
~~~
Christmas Lights in Turin
Each year, at the end of the November and just in time for Christmas the city of Turin presents Luci d’Artista, an installation of art exhibits using light as the medium. The displays transform the streets of the city into a magical, other worldly place.
~~~
Naples: A Christmas Street of Artistry
Italians are crazy for presepi (Nativity scenes) and presepi-central is the street of Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples where craftsmen use techniques handed down for generations to create the traditional figurines of Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men, as well as more contemporary figures like Pope Benedict and Barack Obama.
(Obama statues in Italy? Why don’t we have Il Volo statues in the U.S.? Someone get that started!)
~~~
Herald the Zampognari
~~~
Living Nativity Scenes
Italians enjoy the tradition of reenacting the birth of Jesus through live Nativity scenes. One of the largest takes place in Puglia where 250 residents of Tricase dress in period clothing. This photo captures the live Nativity pageant ofArmenzano, near Assisi. (Photo by Roberto Pollastrini)
~~~
Siena Shares in the Holiday Spirit
The Tuscan city of Siena is filled with holiday cheer with Christmas markets in the city’s piazzas, Christmas concerts and the famous Christmas tree in the center of Piazza dei Salimbeni.
~~~
Christmas Eve: Feast of Seven FishesOn Christmas Eve, Italian families indulge in the traditional Christmas Eve (la Viglia) “Feast of Seven Fishes.” The tradition dates back to the days of Roman Catholic abstinence on holy days. “Seven” may relate to the number of sacraments or the number of days it took God to create the world.
~~~
Panettone: The Italian Christmas Dessert
Reportedly, the average Italian family consumes 5.5 pounds of panettone – a cupola-shaped rich, buttery cake – per year and much of this is during the Christmas season. This delectable dessert has its origins in Milan. (Ann, I even tried an Italian Bakery! Can’t find it!)
~~~
Now there’s one greeting we all know!
~Marie
Unfortunately I am familiar with Dominick. That song was played here in the USA years ago. I don’t think it enjoyed much popularity. It was played enough that I was able to sing along with it. Gave me a good laugh.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Donna! What can I say!! I was desperate for something else besides listening to the bird sing “Grande Amore!!” At least I didn’t try to sneak “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” past Marie!
Marie! Thank you for the gorgeous photos! If we can’t have snow for Christmas up here in the Adirondacks at least I get to see snow in Italy!
No, but you did try to sneak in The Silent Monks “singing” Hallelujah. Think about that!
But those guys are GOOD, not to mention very. very funny!
Ok Penina, just for you. They’re actually high schoolers.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCFCeJTEzNU&w=560&h=315%5D
Just more information added to our “KNOW THE COUNTRY OF OUR BOYS”
Italian Christmas Songs
Canzoni di Natale or Christmas carols in Italian, are some of the oldest in existence. Because Christmas hymns originated in Rome, always sung in Latin, Italy was one of the first countries to develop their Christmas song tradition.
Here are some of the most popular Christmas songs in Italian:
Most Popular Italian Christmas Songs
Bianco Natale
Tu scendi dalle stelle
Astro del Ciel
Dormi, dormi bel bambino
Piva, piva
L’albero di Natale
Gesú bambino nasce
Ninna, nanna
Affrettatevi pastori
Astro del Ciel
Il Primo Natale
Siam pastori e pastorelle
Tanti auguri a te
Valzer della candele
Santa Lucia, canzone del 13 dicembre
MARIE THANKS FOR GETTING UP AND POSTING OR SUPERVISING POSTS EACH DAY. I GET PANICKY IF I DO NOT SEE SOMETHING BEFORE 8:00 AM
Well Gina, you did not put this song on your list.
LYNN, YOU DID NOT JUST SEND ME THIS! Of all the “random” things you send me THIS is the WORST! Just… Just…Just…shame on you!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2WQoC8WpSU&w=420&h=315%5D
If their voices did not change a lot of possible little “IlVolo” possibilities.
Heh! Heh!
you might note the second title: Tu scendi dalle stelle is the song that Ignazio sang a little of when they were on the Hallmark home show two years ago.
the first Christmas “carol” was written by St. Francis in the 1200’s
My patron saint since I went to beautiful Assisi.
Ah Myron, always adding to our much needed music education. Thank You.
How was the concert? Boston? Baltimore? I know it started with a “B”.
I am leaving for Rome in a few hours and will spend Christmas Day and weekend there. Wouldn’t it be great to run into our boys somewhere? If so I will take lots of pictures. I played “Dominick the Donkey” for our Italian exchange student last year and he had never heard of it! Thank you for the beautiful pictures. Merry Christmas! 🙂
Now there’s someone who’s having a great Christmas! Have a wonderful time, Jill.
Beautiful pictures and traditions! Thank you! Buon Natale!!
Marie, if I can find a box to fit the Panettone in, I’ll mail it to you! Buon Natale everyone and a healthy happy New Year.
Anncruise! If Marie doesn’t want the Panettone I ‘ll take it!! We could start a Flight Crew Christmas Tradition of sending the same Panettone from person to person sort of like passing the same fruit cake around because nobody really wants it!! I for one adore fruitcake so everybody in my family sends them to me! I always get a fruitcake accompanied by hysterical laughter when we open gifts!!
Lynn, it’s so much better than a fruit cake. You can smell the oranges when you open it and then put it in the microwave for a few seconds. It does already come in a big box so I can mail it to Marie and she can pass it around if she wants. lol I’ll have to buy one after Christmas as the stores are too crowded now.
I LOVE Panettone!!! So do my hips! I could happily eat this stuff alll year round. Its not in the least like fruitcake ( well only in the fact it has fruit in it but still thats where the comparision ends)
In fact, I am now officially off the clock at work so I am going home to fix goodies for tomorrow and I AM GOING TO EAT SOME PANETTONE!….and sing along with my pals Gianluca, Ignazio and Piero. Buon Natale tutti!
To the whole Flight Crew! I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This is my Christmas Greeting to all of you!
https://faithtap.com/225/piano -guys-peter-hollens-david-archuleta-sing-we-have-heard
Hope it goes through!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrLoWt2tfqg&w=560&h=315%5D
Oops wrong spot look above.
That’s it! Thanks! Everybody enjoy!
Lynn, That video says it all. I forwarded it to my family in England. Thanks. Joanie G
Beautiful singing & heartwarming video
I was going to dance with with Dominic the Donkey then I was laughing with CATalunia Boys choir which was hilarious & then I am practically brought to tears with Lynn’s video of the Manger being sung with all those beautiful voices. Thank you all for your talents. Now I will go do some more packing while listening to Il volo & that should make my day perfect.
That is the most beautiful Christmas video I’ve ever seen! Thanks , Lynn! Wish I knew how to forward it! It is truly GLORIOUS!
Thanks, Marie! Merry Christmas!
Aldi stores sell the Pannetonne, regular and chocolate chip.
I shop Aldi’s. Never thought to look there.
Aldi’s has it this time of year., plus several other Italian foods!😍
We have several fruit/produce markets that have pannetonne all year round. Come to Detroit area. Merry Christmas to all.
Gorgeous pictures! I would just be in rapture at The Vatican and in Milan…