Christmas in Italy Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly in December 25th as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world, but every country has its own traditions. Fabiana Ventriglia Alessandra Bruno

Religious traditions in Italy: Christmas celebrations derive from both pagan and Christian traditions. In Italian houses a nativity scene is usually set up, especially in southern areas, or you can find a Christmas tree, which instead tends to be a more Nordic tradition. A nativity scene is a special exhibition of art objects representing the scene of the birth of Jesus. Nativity scenes exhibit figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Joseph. Other characters from the nativity story such as shepherds and sheep, and angels may be also displayed.

Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first live nativity scene in 1223 intending thereby to cultivate the worship of Christ, having been inspired by his recent visit to the Holy Land where he had been shown Jesus's traditional birthplace. Nowadays Christmas is keenly felt, overall in the South of the country. The most glaring example is represented by Neaples, more precisely in San Gregorio Armeno, a subourb of the city in which a lot of artisans still produce unique handiworks.

The importance of the tree: A Christmas tree is a decorated tree, usually an evergreen conifer such as spruce, pine, or fir or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tree was traditionally decorated with edibles such as apples, nuts, or other foods. In the 18th century, it began to be illuminated by candles which were ultimately replaced by Christmas lights. Today, there is a wide variety of traditional ornaments, such as garland, tinsel, and candy canes. An angel or star might be placed at the top of the tree to represent the archangel Gabriel or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity.

The figure of Santa Claus: Santa Claus, or simply Santa is a mythical figure with historical origins who, in many Western cultures, brings gifts to the homes of well-behaved, "good" children on Christmas Eve and the early morning hours of Christmas Day. The modern Santa Claus is derived from the British figure of Father Christmas. Santa Claus is believed to make lists of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior and to deliver presents, including toys, and candy to all of the well-behaved children in the world, and sometimes coal to the naughty children, on the single night of Christmas Eve. He accomplishes this feat with the aid of the elves who make the toys in the workshop and the flying reindeer who pull his sleigh. He is commonly portrayed as living at the North Pole and saying "ho ho ho" often.

Zampogna is a generic term for a number of Italian double chantered pipes that can be found as far north as the southern part of the Marche, throughout areas in Abruzzo, Latium, Molise, Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, and Sicily. The tradition is now mostly associated with Christmas, and the most famous Italian carol, "Tu scendi dalle stelle" is derived from traditional zampogna music. The double reeded version of the Zampogna is generally played with the piffero. Even if nowadays the use of this instrument is not so common, in the past it was usual for shepherds to come to the city while playing and singing. Today only a part of them still knock at doors of workshippers.

Typical dishes: Although Christmas was born as a religious fest, we can say that today it is not only concerned with religion, but it also has become a way to spend time together with our dears. And probably the thing that most represents this spirit is Christmas dinner. In Italy we are used to eat fish-based dishes and some typical desserts such as Pandoro, Panettone and Torrone.

The event: Salerno Luci d’Artista Salerno Luci d'Artista creates a fantastic atmosphere and magical show of lights and colours that catapult the viewer into an enchanting world. The Lights On Artist of Salerno are real works of art installed in the most beautiful and attractive areas of the city and can be seen on the streets, the squares and the waterfront of Salerno. It is also installed a Christmas Market that animates the Promenade of Salerno with wooden cabins and Santa's house. The event Salerno Luci d'Artista is the perfect opportunity to discover the city and appreciate the many beauties such as monuments, museums, beautiful places and to go Christmas shopping in stores and in the shops of the historic center in a festive atmosphere of serenity.

The End.