CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN ITALY

With all of its merriment, the Italian way of celebrating this holiday resembles that of other countries - but the background of Christmas (Natale) in this country is much more complex than one would expect.In the cults and religion of ancient Rome (often centered on the emperor) the function of the festivity known as "Natale" was to celebrate such major events as the foundation of a city or the birth of a personality or a divinity. Rome celebrated its own on April 21st; farther on, the "dies natalis" of the emperor became a public festivity, its pomp being comparable to the "Natale" of some divinities whose date of birth was particularly meaningful. Chief among them was that of Mithra: December 25th was the date on which to celebrate at the same time its "Natale" and the winter solstice. The date of birth of the Holy Child (who came to the Earth to redeem man, thus illuminating his life) was selected as to coincide with the period in which daylight hours start to lengthen, that is soon after the winter solstice. With all of its merriment, the Italian way of celebrating this holiday resembles that of other countries - but the background of Christmas (Natale) in this country is much more complex than one would expect.

In the cults and religion of ancient Rome (often centered on the emperor) the function of the festivity known as "natale" was to celebrate such major events as the foundation of a city or the birth of a personality or a divinity. Rome celebrated its own on April 21st; farther on, the "dies natalis" of the emperor became a public festivity, its pomp being comparable to the "natale" of some divinities whose date of birth was particularly meaningful. Chief among them was that of Mithra: December 25th was the date on which to celebrate at the same time its "natale" and the winter solstice. The date of birth of the Holy Child (who came to the Earth to redeem man, thus illuminating his life) was selected as to coincide with the period in which daylight hours start to lengthen, that is soon after the winter solstice. As everywhere else, the main characteristics of Christmas are therefore an immense joy, the abundance of light, and sweet carols. Streets are decorated with red or green carpeting and especially with blinking multi-colored lights which may represent the Star of the Presepio, a Christmas tree, or other motifs. A particular atmosphere is created by the "zampognari", the players who can be heard playing only in this period of the year. During the nine days that precede this holiday the "zampognari" (shepherds from nearby mountain areas) stroll around the main roads of small and big cities filling them with carols. They always go in pairs; one plays the goatskin bagpipe known as "zampogna" or "cornamusa"(a distant cousin of the Scottish bagpipe) while the other plays the "ciaramella" (a wooden flute). With all of its merriment, the Italian way of celebrating this holiday resembles that of other countries - but the background of Christmas (Natale) in this country is much more complex than one would expect.

As everywhere else, the main characteristics of Christmas are therefore an immense joy, the abundance of light, and sweet carols. Streets are decorated with red or green carpeting and especially with blinking multi-colored lights which may represent the Star of the Presepio, a Christmas tree, or other motifs. A particular atmosphere is created by the "zampognari", the players who can be heard playing only in this period of the year. During the nine days that precede this holiday the "zampognari" (shepherds from nearby mountain areas) stroll around the main roads of small and big cities filling them with carols. They always go in pairs; one plays the goatskin bagpipe known as "zampogna" or "cornamusa"(a distant cousin of the Scottish bagpipe) while the other plays the "ciaramella" (a wooden flute).With all of its merriment, the Italian way of celebrating this holiday resembles that of other countries - but the background of Christmas (Natale) in this country is much more complex than one would expect.The Italians during the Christmases vacations, like all years long, they prepare the tree and the manger during the vacations of Sant' Ambrogio. The Christmas celebrates it home, from the relatives or in the more refined restaurants.I complete him of the year instead the Italians have the habit of celebrate it with the "Dinner" in different local or big restaurants.