2. What’s the Immaculate
Conception?
Many people believe that the Immaculate Conception is
when Jesus was conceived in the Virgin Mary’s womb. But it
isn’t so.
The Immaculate Conception refers to the condition of the
Blessed Virgin Mary who was free from Original Sin from
the moment of her conception in her mother’s womb.
The wrong belief was held until the papal bull “Inneffabilis
Deus” written by Pope Pius IX on December 8, 1854.
3. We still celebrate the
Immaculate Conception today
on December 8. In many
countries it’s observed like a
patronal feast and in some, as
it is in Italy, like a national
public holiday.
Immaculate Conception
4. Christmas is celebrated on 25th December, and is the
most important festival in Italy.
On Christmas we celebrate Jesus’s birth.
Usually families gather and cook many things to eat.
They play cards and exchange gifts.
Children wait for Christmas morning to see if Santa
Claus, an old man with a white beard that travels on a
sleigh, has brought the gifts they have asked for in a
letter.
This is a beautiful time for children because schools
stay closed from the 23rd December to the 6th of
January.
5. Typical sweets our mums prepare
for Christmas : cartellate, almond
sweets, panettone
6. THE SAINT AND OUR TOWN
Thanks to a group of sailors, who went to Myra in Turkey in the XII
century, the bones of Saint Nicholas are kept in the crypt of our
Basilica named after the Saint. Afterwards, Nicholas became the
Patron Saint of Bari.
Every year, on 6th December, pilgrims go to the Basilica called after
him at 4 o’clock a.m. to celebrate the Saint’s death and drink hot
chocolate (a local tradition). While on 7th, 8th, 9th May, people
from all over the world celebrate the arrival of the bones in Bari. It’s
a big celebration with boats carrying the Saint’s statue in the sea
, historic parades, fireworks and market stalls selling local food.
7. CARNIVAL
CARNIVAL IN VENICE
CARNIVAL IN PUTIGNANO
Our local Carnival of Putignano (Putignano is a village
close to Bari,our town in the South of Italy)has ancient
origins that date back to the fourteenth century.
At that time the Knights of Malta moved the remains of
Saint Stephen from Monopoli to Putignano to protect
them from the Saracens. To celebrate the arrival of the
relics, the farmers left their fields, smeared their faces
with flour and played jokes. Putignano Carnival is
considered one of the main carnivals of Italy and it is
famous for its spectacular parade of papier-maché floats .
In the last ten years the carnival has become famous
thanks to the enormous floats and the peculiar satirical
masks which carry socio- political messages.
It dates back to the 13th century as
an ancient document states. It
describes the practice of masked
men throwing scented eggs at
ladies. It begins on S. Stefano Day
(26th December) and ends at the
beginning of Lent.
Today public areas around Venice
become the showcase for
actors, acrobats and musicians
with residents and visitors alike
wearing elaborate masks and
elegant costumes.
8. EASTER
Like all holidays in Italy, Easter, Pasqua in Italian, has its rituals and traditions.
The Monday following Easter, Pasquetta, is also a holiday throughout Italy.
Easter is a joyous festival because we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection after his crucifiction.
There are religious processions on Friday and Saturday before Easter with special
statues of the Virgin and Jesus .
The statues may be paraded throughout the city or displayed in the main square.
Parade participants are dressed in traditional ancient costumes.
Olive branches are used in the processions and to decorate churches.
On Sunday children usually eat chocolate eggs and look forward to finding the surprise it
keeps inside.
