Christmas in Italy

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Christmas in Italy

• It is important in todays world to begin to
  understand and accept other cultures and their
  traditions.
• The Christmas season is one of the most
  celebrated events in Italian culture full of many
  festive traditions.
• December 8 - January 6

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Il Panettone

• Panetto small loaf of bread
• -one large
• Panettone large bread
• From Milano but many legends about its origin
• Pane di Toni
• Il fornaio Toni

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Panettone Ingredients

• 3/4 cup diced citron
• 1/4 cup dark raisins
• 1/4 cup white raisins
• 1 1/2 tsp. Lemon peel
• 1 tsp/ vanilla extract
• 3 ounces yeast
• 3 cups flour
• 6 egg yolks 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sweet butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt

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I Presepi

• Italian Nativity Scenes
• Similar to the nativity scenes in America seen on
  Church lawns and in homes but more intricate
• First created by St. Francis of Assisi to depict
  the Christmas story to those townspeople who
  could not read

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San Francesco dAssisi

• Founded the Franciscans
• Dedicated his life to the preaching the Gospel
  and helping the poor
• The Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment.

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Assisi

• In the province of Perugia
• In the Umbria Region
• Birthplace of St. Francis, St. Clare, and St.
  Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

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A Christmas Journey Around Italy
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Napoli

• Well-known for its intricate and detailed presepi
• Capital of Campania
• Overlooks Mt. Vesuvius

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Neapolitan Presepi
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I Dolci

• Christmas Desserts
• Cookies
• Dolcetti
• Struffoli

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Struffoli Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup honey
• colored sprinkles

• Christmas Desserts
• Cookies
• Dolcetti
• Struffoli

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La Vigilia di Natale

• Christmas Eve Dinner
• La Viglia di Magro
• Different types of fish are served
• Then community attends midnight mass at the local
  church
• Living Nativity Scenes
• Some towns have bonfires in the main square of
  town

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Christmas Day

• Big feast with family
• Most gift-giving is done on the Epiphany, not
  Christmas Day
• At noon in St. Peters Square, the Pope addresses
  his Christmas message for the world

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La Festa di San Silvestro

• Celebrated on New Years Eve
• Celebrate the coming of the New Year with a
  feast, fireworks, and dancing
• Some people throw old things out, like dishes, to
  make way for the New Year

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La Befana

• Old woman wearing an apron and shawl carrying a
  large sack of toys
• Comes on the Epiphany
• Children hang stockings and leave refreshments
  for La Befana

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Tu Scendi dalle Stelle

• Tu scendi dalle stelle
• O Re del Cielo
• E vieni in una grotta
• Al freddo al gelo
• E vieni in una grotta
• Al freddo al gelo.
• O Bambino mio Divino
• Io ti vedo qui a tremar, O Dio Beato
• Ah, quanti ti costo l'avermi amato
• Ah, quanti ti costo l'avermi amato.

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Sources

• Bakerjian, Martha. "New Year's Celebrations and
  Events in Italy." About.Com. 16 Dec. 2007
  newyears.htm.
• Bee, Anna Maria, and Josephine D'alleva. Il
  Natale Christmas in Italy. Lincolnwood National
  Textbook Company, 1985.
• "A Christmas Journey Around Italy." Knights of
  Columbus. 15 Dec. 2007 ut/museum/detail.cfm?id493102.