Thanks Mlla.
Return here again. Pictures are being added as they come in.
e watermark photo credit Corrierre dell’Umbria
All uncredited photo’s courtesy Sanfrancisco,org
credit – Corriere dell’Umbria
Christmas is the Christian Holiday that each year celebrates the birth of Jesus and it is regarded a “family Holiday”. The major traditions in Italy are the Christmas tree, introduced from northern Europe only at the end of the XIX century and more popular in the north, and the Presepe (Nativity Scene) also known as a manger scene or crib, still very popular in southern Italy especially in Naples.
The Presepe tradition appears to have taken origin in ancient times from the cult of the little statues of the Lari (ancestors) of the Romans and Estruscan populations. In Naples the tradition of Presepe is a must and there are artisans who reproduce the little statues adding each year new figurines so that it is not rare to find the most famous politicians or soccer players or other VIPs reproduced along with the very traditional ones, namely the Holy Family, villagers, the shepherds and the animals.
Santa Claus, Babbo Natale in Italian, is the old man always represented with the white beard that on the night of December the 24th passes through the chimneys and leaves presents for the children under their Christmas tree.
Santa Claus is said to be derived from the figure of Saint Nicholas (San Nicola) a saint especially worshipped in the city of Bari in the Puglia region. In villages and countryside it is quite common to have settings or enactments called “living Nativity scenes” with real people and animals and representation of ancient village life. People can stroll around looking and taking pictures and then have a bite at the “Bancarelle” (stands) selling local finger food and may be have a glass of hot wine to fight the cold.
Traditionally, Christmas tree and Presepe should be prepared on 8th December, date celebrating the Immacolata Concezione (Immaculate Conception) and marking the beginning of celebrations and other popular events called Processioni (Processions), a mix of religious rituals, prayers, music, chants and fireworks during which the statues of the Virgin Mary are taken around the streets of the city or village, usually with a band playing and marking the tempo and people following. Procession are more common in Southern Italy. Here a couple of examples of Procession in two different Sicilian cities:
Siracusa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SdKyNd9bvc
Termini Imerese http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Y7olkTmL4
January, 6th, that marks the last day of Christmas Holiday Season, and is the other traditional Holiday. It is called La Befana, represented as an old woman flying through the sky on a broomstick to deliver small gifts and candies to children on Epiphany Eve (the night of January, 5th). Usually parents help children to hang a sock above the firestove to hold whatever La Befana brings, and if a child has not been very obedient he can easily find among other presents a big lump of coal (quite naturally made of sugar).
Bits and Pieces on Christmas Traditions in Italy by mn – Part 1
Pictures by mn
Videos: All credit to respective owners
A connection to Our Guys! We needed this! Thanks Mlla!
PHOTO’S THANKS TO MLLA
Many of us are of Italian heritage (I am!) and many of us just love Italy. No matter in which category you fall, I bet it’s safe to say, Il Volo has awakened an interest in all things Italian in you.
When I returned from my first trip to Italy, I could not get enough Italian. I watched every Italian movie and any movie that had anything Italian in it. I took Italian language lessons, Italian cooking classes, went to more Italian restaurants (if that was possible), ate more pasta, cannoli and gelato. I attempted to get my aunts to teach me to cook some of their favorite Italian recipes. Johns Hopkins University offered a special course, “Crossing Over; The Italian-American Experience,” I took it!
I taught English lessons to a little boy who had just moved from the Sorrento area, his mother helped me with Italian after his lessons. I went to the Italian Embassy and the Italian Catholic Church in Washington, DC. I sang Italian songs (pre Il Volo) that I brought back from Italy, with my baby nieces, their favorite was Funiculi Funicula. My little nephew watched subtitled Italian movies with me but his favorite “Italians” were the lovable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael!
After these frantic efforts to find the Italian in me, my enthusiasm waned ever so slightly – and then along came IL VOLO! There is no doubt about it; Il Volo kicked my enthusiasm level back into high gear!
Since most of you have “Italianitis” just like I do, Il Volo Flight Crew ~ Share the Love will soon launch “Italia” a new post which we will feature regularly. Our first three Italia posts will be presented by one of our very own Il Volo Flight Crew friends, mn. mn is from “north west Italy” but “has roots also spread around central Italy.” In our first ever “Italia” we are delighted to present “Bits and Pieces on Christmas Traditions in Italy” by mn. Stay tuned, it’s coming soon!
* All photos by MFA
Let’s Christmas shop!
If we could what would we give Our Guys?
Here’s my List:
1) Youth – They have crammed so much and missed so much in the past four years, I’d like to give them four more.
2) Good Health – I would like you to believe this gift to be selfless. However, I really don’t want them to miss a concert near me because of illness.
Wealth – No, not important. Besides, they’ll have that.
3) Wisdom – To continue their career surrounded by positive influences.
4) Fun – Just because they deserve it!
5) Super Duper Glue – To stick them together…forever.
6) St. Christopher Medals – To keep them safe in their travels. They may already have this one.
7) An extra set of ears – So they can always hear how beautiful they sound.
8) Peace – In every aspect of their lives and what they bring to us and the world through their music.
9) A passel of children to sing to – well, maybe not this Christmas.
10) The Flight Crew – For love in abundance. This we can give with all our hearts.
Now, what gifts am I forgetting?
~Marie