Christmas traditions in Italy

The Crib and the Christmas tree are the most popular traditions in the

world.

The Nativity scene is an Italian tradition

Saint Francis from Assisi carried out the first Nativity scene in the world in 1223.

Saint Francis decided to realize the Crib in the village of Greccio (Rieti)

Greccio

About Christmas tree.

The Italian tradition wants it to be set up on 8th December, the day of the Immaculate Conception, and removed the 6th of January (day of Epiphany).

Christmas tree in Duomo square, Milan

Christmas tree in Gubbio (Perugia)

The are two folkloric figures related to Christmas: Santa Claus and Epiphany

Sinterklass, old Santa Claus in Benelux Epiphany - Befana

Traditional Christmas food

• In Italy the Christmas Eve dinner is fish based.

• The Latin word “veglia” means waking. In almost all the recipes of Christmas dinner there is the eel, fish that is found in many religious fasts.

The eel

The Panettone: a traditional Italian Christmas cake

The dough of Panettone is made with yeast, water, flour, butter, eggs or egg yolks, to which is added candied fruit, candied orange, cedar and raisins.

The most famous Italian Christmas songs are:

• Tu scendi dalle stelle - !

• Bianco Natale

• Astro del Ciel

• Adeste Fidelis

• E’ nato il Salvatore