I was fortunate enough two years ago to experience the live nativity scenes presented by the townspeople of Licodia Eubea on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Pictured here, the Three Wise Men (Magi, aka The Three Kings) present their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the “newborn king,” the baby Jesus. They…
Tag: christmas in sicily
Live Nativity Scenes In Sicily
Many towns in Sicily annually create elaborate live nativity scenes like this one I saw in 2019 in Custonaci (Trapani Province). These dioramas featuring townspeople acting out iconic moments and everyday activities from past times create a sense of wonder. Presepe Vivente are a reason to visit Sicily during Christmas.
Buccellati: Sicilian Christmas Cookies and Cake
Buccellati cookies and cake (pictured) are made with a filling of chopped dried figs, pumpkin jam, honey, raisins, almonds, orange rind, cinnamon, and Marsala wine. These goodies are synonymous with Christmas in Sicily. Look at the beautiful detail in the cake design!
Live Nativity Scenes In Sicily
Today is Saint Stephen’s Day, a national holiday in Italy. Sicilians and Italians spend the day with family and friends visiting presepi di Natale, or nativity scenes, like this Presepe Vivente that I visited last year in Licodia Eubea in Catania province, where I’ll be hosting our Life in A Remote Sicilian Town tour in…
The Days Between Christmas And Epiphany in Sicily
In the days between Christmas and Epiphany (January 6, also known as La Befana or Three Kings Day), Sicilians spend time with family and friends and often enjoy festivals and presentations featuring the nativity scene–both performed live with actors or in diorama form, like this one created by Zio Lillo (Uncle Lillo) in Sant’Angelo Muxaro.
Buon Natale! Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Buon Natale! Photo of altar featuring Madonna dell Lume (Madonna of the Light) with child, Porticello
Sant’Elia Seaside Nativity Scene
This is a nativity scene (or presepio or presepe) photographed by Experience Sicily’s Filippo Buttitta on the seaside at Sant’Elia. This photo was taken yesterday. Filippo reported that the weather in Sicily has been fantastic in recent weeks.
Away in a Manger
Throughout Sicily, building and viewing presepe, or the nativity scene, is a Christmas tradition. From table top diorama-sized statues, like this one pictured from Chiesa di San Bartolomeo in Scicli, to performances featuring actors and live animals that can be found in towns like Sutera, Gangi, and Termini Imerese, to name just a few, displaying…