Italian Nativities

Last night we had the pleasure of attending a 'Presepe Vivente', or 'live Nativity' in a neighbouring town called Casalini. We had been told all about this Italian custom on Boxing Day, when we had met Bob and Helga during lunch. Bob was adamant that the Casalini Presepe was the best locally, so we checked online for dates and times (although that hasn't always helped us!) and set off at 5pm last night for a 5.30pm start. On arrival, we parked with ease, and looked for signs. Fortunately we also found 'La Terraza Quadrifoglia', a restaurant where Pino works, so we popped in to say, "Bouna Sera" and book a table for pizzas after visiting the Presepe.

Pino kindly gave us directions to the old town, and we found, by the smell of open fires and the sound of live music, what can only be described as a village that had transported itself back in time. The whole community had opened it's doors, quite literally for what had become a traditional open house evening where old skills, crafts and traditions were showcased for any visitor to see. The main Piazza, picturesque in it's own right, was surrounded by twig bundles, hay bales, and wooden carts, donkeys and huts/houses constructed out of temporary materials. I suppose it was like a market really. We were ushered into someone's house, a downstairs room of a trullo which had been transformed into the scenario of a Potter's workshop.

From then on, the evening got slightly more surreal. Word was spreading that an English family were in town, and so at every room in every open house, we were greeted like celebrities! Everyone wanted to show us what their traditional skill/talent was, and so we watched ladies making dough, rolling dough shapes, deep frying them, and of course we then had to do the taste test! We saw children splitting almonds, whilst their mother coated them in sugar and warmed them gently, causing them to become sticky, sweet, and delicious. Yes, we had to taste them too! Whilst this was happening, in the same room quite often there was live music, singing and dancing. It really was an attack on the senses!

The most fun however was had in a makeshift hairdressers!

As you will know, none of us have had a proper haircut since we left England in July, and in my opinion Ed is the one who needs it the most! So, when the 'barber' called him in to sit in the chair, of course he played along...and then the huge antique scissors and rusty razors came out! All in good humour, and the men playing the barbers certainly had a laugh as did the gathering crowd of Italians!!! I didn't fare much better as pliers were found to tweak my eyebrows!!! And then the barber's granddaughter appeared to polish my nails!

Our favourite scene, or scenario was the bar! A wonderful smell of cooking filled the air, and we got near to the open fire we were shown a huge pan of a stew, and also a pan of boiling 'Vino Rosso', which we understood to be a type of mulled wine. And of course, we sampled that! Overall, we had a fun evening, and the memories will be held forever. The spirit of Christmas and community lives on, and we loved both!