iscovering the traditions of Christmas in Calabria

IIS «Familiari»
Liceo Classico
Class 3rd A

Discovering Christmas traditions in

Calabria
Calabria is a land rich in traditions and
great culture. Spending Christmas in the
beautiful land of Calabria means
immersing yourself in magical places that
each year retraces the history of
Christmas through songs and typical
events. Here are some informative notes
on Christmas in Calabria and how to
spend it at best.
Christmas in Calabria means, at first, Christmas in the family.
Traditionally this festivity manages to gather the whole family
around the table set with the dishes of Calabrian cuisine.
Throughout the Christmas period, ancient traditions are
rediscovered and repeated.
In fact, in many houses, in addition to the preparation of the
traditional tree, we start moving from early December to prepare
once again for Christmas the nativity and, symbolically, tell the
story of the Holy Nativity and the values derived from it.
 Songs and typical products
Christmas in Calabria is enlivened by its traditional songs. The sound of Christmas blues
creates the atmosphere suitable for this period: players (pipers coming from outside the
region or local players) walk the streets of the villages, early in the morning or in the
evening, every day of the novena, playing the lullaby and the melodies of the popular
Christmas songs.
In addition to music, the typical products are also important for Calabrian Christmas. A
festive table set for Christmas Eve traditionally proposes the "13 courses" from the
starters to the desserts.
 Christmas Eve dinner
The most classic and typical recipes of Christmas in Calabria. On the eve you
can not miss the fries starting with cauliflower and “zeppole”, followed by
“stoccafisso” stewed or sausages with a side of turnip tops and the "lampasciuni".
According to tradition, during the Christmas dinner people eat at least 13 dishes
based on poor and essential foods. We start with baked pasta, meatballs,
Calabrian salami with chilli.
 Christmas sweets
In Calabria Christmas sweets are countless. The typical Christmas sweets will be the ideal conclusion
of the meals but also the gastronomic frame of the greetings. This is a tradition to which the
Calabrians are very tied.

Crucitti

Petrali Pignolata

Crispelle

Turdilli calabresi
 Classic and Living Nativity Scenes
• The realization of the living nativity is an event that, in the days before Christmas, is
carried out in different municipalities, and that continues until Epiphany with the
arrival of the Magi, with the background of the choreography that is characterized by
glimpses of ancient nineteenth-century villages belonging to the countries where the
event is held. The theatrical scene, prepared for the occasion, proposes ordinary
citizens as sudden actors who express their contribution to the representation of
everyday life in the Nativity, impersonating shepherds and other characters. In
addition to the Living Nativity Scene, almost all the Calabrian communities, with
collaborations among various associations and parishes, create the classic nativity,
retracing the history with settings that recreate the joy of Christmas
 Alunni:
Anghelone Francesco
Catona Stefano
Maesano Carmelo
Marrari Francesco
Mentana Massimiliano