L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024 L'Italo-Americano C a l a b r i a , t h e s o u t h e r n t i p o f Italy's mainland, is home to Christ- m a s t r a d i t i o n s that are as lively as they are deeply rooted in faith and community. Over the years, some of these customs have faded, yet they remain a pow- erful reflection of the region's unique cultural identity and t h e s h a r e d j o y t h a t o n c e defined the holiday season. Let us take an imaginary walk through the streets of this beautiful region to discover some of them together. The fòcare: Christmas bonfires One of the most evocative Calabrian Christmas tradi- tions is the lighting of large bonfires, known as fòcare or fuochi della Vigilia, in front of the town's main church on Christmas Eve. These fires, which burn from dusk until dawn, symbolize purification and the triumph of light over darkness, the same triumph represented, in the eyes of the faithful, by the coming of Christ, born to save Humani- ty from Evil. The fòcare serve a s c o m m u n a l g a t h e r i n g points where villagers come together to share stories, sing c a r o l s , a n d c e l e b r a t e t h e impending birth of Christ; the practice is still observed in various towns across Cal- abria, such as Scigliano and B o c c h i g l i e r o i n t h e province of Cosenza, Marce- dusa in Catanzaro, and Cro- tone during the feast of Santa Lucia. M u s i c a l t r a d i t i o n s : strìna and novena Music plays a pivotal role in Calabrian Christmas cele- brations, with two traditions standing out: the strìna and t h e n o v e n a . T h e s t r ì n a involves groups of singers, often accompanied by instru- ments like the chitarra bat- tente, tambourine, and accor- dion, performing traditional pastoral songs and carols k n o w n a s c a n t i a d a r i a throughout the village streets. This practice typically occurs between December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Concep- t i o n ) a n d J a n u a r y 6 (Epiphany), spreading festive cheer and fostering a sense of community. The novena, on the other hand, is a nine-day period leading up to Christ- mas, during which Calabri- a n p i p e r s , c o n s i d e r e d guardians of tradition, play traditional flutes called pipìte from house to house, in a rit- ual aimed at preparing the community spiritually for the holiday. Culinary customs: the F e a s t o f t h e T h i r t e e n Dishes Calabrian Christmas Eve, k n o w n a s L a V i g i l i a , i s marked by a sumptuous feast t r a d i t i o n a l l y c o m p r i s i n g thirteen dishes. This num- ber holds religious signifi- cance, representing Jesus and the twelve apostles, but, in some areas, the number of dishes may vary to seven, symbolizing the virtues, or n i n e , r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e months of Mary's pregnancy. The meal is strictly meat- less, adhering to the Roman Catholic tradition of abstain- ing from meat on Christmas Eve, and instead features an array of vegetables, legumes, and fish. A quintessential d i s h o f t h e e v e n i n g i s spaghetti ammuddicati, p a s t a t o s s e d w i t h b r e a d - crumbs and anchovies, which w e l l r e f l e c t s t h e r e g i o n ' s resourcefulness and reliance on simple, readily available ingredients. Salted cod, or baccalà, is another staple, often prepared in stews or fried. Side dishes include sautéed broccoli and other seasonal vegetables. Sweet traditions: cud- druriaddri and festive desserts T h e C a l a b r i a n s w e e t tooth is particularly evident during the Christmas season, with a variety of traditional d e s s e r t s m a k i n g t h e i r appearance. The festivities commence on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when families prepare c u d d r u r i a d d r i (also known as cullurielli or crespelle), a type of fried doughnut made with flour, boiled potatoes, and yeast. These treats are usually eaten plain or sprinkled with sugar, and their preparation is a c o m m u n a l a c t i v i t y t h a t brings families together. Other traditional sweets include pitta 'mpigliata, a pastry filled with dried fruits and nuts, and turdilli, deep- f r i e d g n o c c h i - l i k e s w e e t s drenched in honey. A beautiful but fragile cultural inheritance O v e r t i m e , C a l a b r i a ' s Christmas traditions have f a c e d s i g n i f i c a n t c h a l - l e n g e s , l e a d i n g t o t h e i r decline. Economic hardships, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, prompted mass migrations as C a l a b r i a n s s o u g h t b e t t e r opportunities abroad. This exodus disrupted the com- munal fabric essential for sustaining local customs. Urbanization further eroded these traditions, as city life often lacked the close-knit community structures that rural practices thrived upon. Additionally, the relaxation of strict religious observances and the pervasive influence of globalized culture introduced new ways of celebrating the holidays, often at the expense of more traditional customs. Despite the challenges, there has been a concerted effort to revive and preserve Calabria's Christmas her- itage, as local cultural associ- ations and historians recog- nize the intrinsic value of these traditions as part of the region's intangible heritage. Community events and festivals play a pivotal role in this revival, reintroducing younger generations to such practices and ensuring that the spirit of Calabrian Christ- m a s l a s t s . F o r i n s t a n c e , t o w n s l i k e C a s t i g l i o n e Cosentino host events cele- brating local Christmas tradi- tions, featuring cribs, decora- t i o n s , a n d a c t i v i t i e s t h a t engage both young and old. Moreover, the preparation of traditional Christmas sweets, such as cuddruriaddri, which we have presented above, continues to be a cherished activity in many households, which helps preserve culinary heritage but also strengthens family bonding and intergen- erational transmission of knowledge. Through these efforts, Calabria is witnessing a renaissance of its Christmas t r a d i t i o n s , a l o n g s i d e a n ongoing adaptation to con- temporary life. It is a revival that, at once, honors the past and enriches the present, while developing a sense of belonging and continuity in an ever-changing world. Calabria's Christmas tradi- t i o n s g i v e u s a p r o f o u n d insight into the region's cul- tural and spiritual identity, with each of these customs reflecting a deep sense of c o m m u n i t y , f a i t h , a n d resilience. Reviving and cher- ishing them not only pays tribute to Calabrian past but also enriches the region's present, strengthening its historical identity while giv- ing it all the vibrancy and zest today's world can bring it. LUCA SIGNORINI Preserving the spirit of Calabria's Christmas past Christmas folk musicians, with zampogna and ciaramella, in Calabria (Photo: Ermess/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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