Events in Italy
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Events in Italy
Hanukkah
Venice
Noel
(Florence)
December
First week in December
During the first week of
December, Noel is a family event with lots of children’s activities, including
the house of Babbo Natale, Father of Christmas.
The highlight is the nativity village along with music, food and chocolate.
Saint Barbara Day
Paterno (Sicily)
December 4
On December 4, Saint
Barbara Day is celebrated on the slopes
of Mt. Etna. There is
a parade after which
the nativity scene is
built. Saint Barbara is
the town’s patron saint
and the protectress of
firemen and makers of
fireworks. She symbolizes protection against
Mt. Etna eruptions.
San Nicolo Feast
Abruzzo region
December 6
In many areas of this
region, December 6 is
the San Nicolo Feast
celebration. The feast
includes the traditional loaves of bread and
taralli, which are hard,
round biscuits. These
biscuits are often dipped
in wine before being
eaten. On the island
of Murano (off Venice),
Festa di San Nicolo is a
week-long celebration
in honor of glass blowers. A boat procession
highlights this event.
St. Ambrogio Day
Milan
December 7
December 7 commemorates St.
Ambrogio Day. He is the city’s
patron saint. This day is celebrated with food and vendors
selling scores of items from
open air stalls.
Wild Boar Festival
Suvereto
(Livorno/Tuscany)
December 8
The wild boar festival is
a multiple-day event that
ends with a big feast on
December 8. Other than
wild boar offerings include honey, wine and olive oil.
Feast Day of the
Immaculate Conception
December 8
December 8 is the Feast
Day of the Immaculate Conception and a national holiday. There are celebrations
throughout the country, and
churches celebrate special
masses. Everywhere there
are parades, feasts, music and
bonfires. Rome in all of its
floral splendor hosts a ceremony at the Spanish Steps
presided over by the pope.
Government offices are
closed.
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In the Jewish Ghetto,
Hanukkah is celebrated during the month.
This commemorates
the first Jewish community in Europe, featuring the lighting of
the Menorah, kosher
foods and Hanukkah
festivities.
Loreto (Festa della venuta)
December 10
The miraculous arrival of the
Holy House on a countryside
hill of Loreto is commemorated
in the evening by the lighting of
bonfires (forgaro’). The evening
caps off with the statue of the
Virgin Mary being carried by
aviators. She is their patroness.
Santa Lucia Day
Siracusa Sicily
December 13
There is an elaborate parade depicting a silver
statue of the saint on a
golden coffin carried to
the Church of Santa Lucia. On December 20,
there is another parade to
return her to the crypt. A
major fireworks display
over the harbor climaxes
the festivities.
St. Stephen’s Day
December 26
Another national holiday is St. Stephen’s Day
on December 26. New
Year’s Eve (La Festa di
San Silvestro) is celebrated across the country with fireworks. New
Year’s Day is Il Capodanno and the holidays
end January 6 with The
Epiphany. La Befana,
the kindly old witch,
brings toys to good
children and pieces of
coal to those who were
naughty.
DEC: Events in Italy
All December celebrations, festivals and events are Christmas-oriented including Feast
Day of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and
St. Stephen’s Day, the day after Christmas. Across the nation, Italian greetings include:
Buon Natale (Good Christmas), Buon Feste (Good/Happy Holidays), Auguri (to express
wishes for not only Christmas but most every birthday, wedding, birth or Saint Days),
Buon Capodanno (Good Head of the Year/Happy New Year) and Auguri di un Buon
Anno (Wishes for a Good Year and another way to say Happy New Year).
LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA | DECEMBER 2013
LA GAZZETTA ITALIANA | DECEMBER 2013
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