Celebration of Festivals in Italy
Dear Polish friends, this part of the blog is dedicated to record the way we celebrate our traditional festivals in Italy.
8th December
The Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic dogma the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus without any stain of original sin, in her mother's womb: the dogma thus says that, from the first moment of her existence, she was preserved by
God from the lack of sanctifying grace that afflicts mankind, and that she was instead filled with divine grace. It is further believed that she lived a life completely free from sin.
On 8th December we’re off school. It is the day when families decorate christmas trees,or set up the cribs.
The Immaculate Conception is, according to Roman Catholic dogma the conception of Mary, the mother of Jesus without any stain of original sin, in her mother's womb: the dogma thus says that, from the first moment of her existence, she was preserved by
God from the lack of sanctifying grace that afflicts mankind, and that she was instead filled with divine grace. It is further believed that she lived a life completely free from sin.On 8th December we’re off school. It is the day when families decorate christmas trees,or set up the cribs.
Christmas
Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus.In Italy we also follow the modern traditions that include the display of Nativity scenes, Holly and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning.However there are 2 traditions that are truly Italian.The first is the crib.The second is the “Panettone”.
PanettonePanettone (Milanese: panetton classical orthography, panetùn other orthography) is a typical bread of Milan, usually prepared and enjoyed for Christmas and New Year around Italy, and one of the symbols of the city.
It has a cupola shape which extends from a cylindrical base and is usually about 12-15 cm high for a 1 kg panettone. It is made during a long process which involves the curing of the dough.The process alone takes several days, giving the cake its distinctive fluffy characteristics. It contains candied orange and lemon zest, as well as raisins, which are added dry and not soaked. Many other variations are available such as plain or with chocolate . It is served in slices, vertically cut, accompanied with sweet hot beverages or a sweet wine, such as Asti. In some regions of Italy, it is served with Crema di Mascarpone, a cream made from mascarpone cheese, eggs, and typically a sweet liqueur such as Amaretto; if mascarpone cheese is unavailable, zabaglione is sometimes used as a substitute to Crema di Mascarpone.
Epiphany
Epiphany (Greek: επιφάνεια, "appearance" or "manifestation") is a Christian feast intended to celebrate the "shining forth" or revelation of God to mankind in human form, in the person of Jesus. The feast is also called Twelfth Day, as it is the twelfth day after Christmas, or Three Kings Day.The date of the feast was very early fixed on January 6.In Italy Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi. La Befana is a character in Italian folklore, similar to Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. The character may have originated in Rome, then spread as a tradition to peninsular Italy.
Her name derives from the festival of Epiphany, and she visits all the children of Italy on the eve of 6 January to fill their socks with candy if they are good or a lump of coal if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child's family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for Befana.
She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both.
( written by Cristina Brambilla, Elisa Morosi, Gaia Orlandi )
LETS TALK ABOUT
"MID AUGUST HOLIDAYS!!!!!!"
Mid August holidays is a typical Italian fest-day!
The story of this typical day started under the Roman empire when the population celebrated the harvest of cereals.
This festivity was too much important for all the people that the church decided to associate it to the assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Mid August become a fest day and the people celebrate it on the 15th of August…
It is a tradition that every 15th of August all the Italian families organize a lot of parties,pic-nics or trips to the country to stay together.
In Mid august holidays nobody goes to work ‘cause it is a national holiday…
In summer,and expecially,in this occasion we live a lot of pleasant experiences!!!!!....we eat water melon,we see a lot of romantic fireworks and sometimes we go to the Como lake to enjoy ourselves!!!
In Palermo,in Sassari and in Tivoli there are some important processions where the statue of the Virgin Mary is lead into the streets of cities and villages.
THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL PHOTO OF THE ROMANTIC FIREWORKS THAT WE SAW LAST SUMMER….!!!
THIS IS THE ONE OF THE COAST OF SARDINIA
ON THE 15TH OF AUGUST TWO YEARS AGO…THE WEATHER WAS FANTASTIC!!
ON THE 15TH OF AUGUST TWO YEARS AGO…THE WEATHER WAS FANTASTIC!!
( written by Sara Ceriani )
