Campania and its Christmas with family and cribs

And here we are in Campania! A land rich in Christmas traditions with a strong sense of family and joy.

In Campania first of all Christmas means to be seated around a table with family. It is one of the most anticipated moments and emotion of the entire year, an essential ritual. There is no escape, at Christmas home is the place to stay. In the company of your family to eat, drink and play. Everything must be perfect, table setting takes on a lively tone; mistletoe, angels, coloured napkins and many many dishes. A proper tour de force filled with joy. The festivity, or better, the festive season, witnesses the fervent preparation of the two main meals: Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Lunch; on St. Stephen, the 26th December, usually people feast on tons of leftovers from the two days before.

When speaking of Christmas in Campania immediately thoughts also turn to the traditional and historical crib. In most of the towns there are organizations and groups of people that every year repeat the ritual of setting a nativity scene. The crib was and remains a way to represent not only the sacred but also the realism of everyday life. In Campania, the crib is more than a tradition. It is part of everyone’s life, it is an act of faith and a time for family and social gathering.

IMG_7877The first place where to enjoy Christmas in Campania must be Naples. It is a special place with a breathtaking beauty and uniqueness. Full of contradiction, between spirituality and passion.

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Christmas Special… playing Tombola!

Today we want to play Tombola with you!

From north to south, in Italy, Tombola is the Christmas game par excellence. Protagonist of family long evenings where both adults and children gather to spend a few hours in joy.

Have you ever heard about?

Tombola is very similar to bingo, very popular in Anglo-Saxon countries, but with a most ancient and curious story, that now we try to tell you.

tombola

According to the tradition, in 1734 the king of Naples, Carlo III of Borbone, and the Dominican friar Gregorio Maria Rocco had a small dispute.

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Handmade figurines for the Neapolitan Christmas

Visiting Nativity scene artisans and workshops in Naples

It is Christmas time and in Italy there’s the tradition to recreate the Nativity scene next to the Christmas tree, so I decided to visit Naples where there are the grandest and most peculiar artifacts.

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