L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 10 L'Italo-Americano M a n g i a p a n e C a v e , a l s o known as the Grotta degli Uffizi, stands out. It is the largest, measuring about 70 meters high, 13 meters wide, a n d 5 0 m e t e r s d e e p . T h e cave was inhabited until the 1950s and takes its name from the family who once owned it. It is within these caves and the abandoned houses of the village that the tradition of the living nativi- ty scene comes to life, an event that fills visitors with joy and wonder year after year. T h e L i v i n g N a t i v i t y o f Custonaci – The Nativity and Traditional Crafts has been held since 1983 and will celebrate its 40th edi- tion this year. From Decem- ber 25 to 29 and January 4 to 6, 2025, the event brings rural and artisanal tradi- tions back to life. About 160 participants, most of whom are locals, recreate scenes from everyday life, embody- ing the crafts and trades of the past. In recognition of its c u l t u r a l i m p o r t a n c e , t h e nativity scene was added to Sicily's Register of Intangi- ble Heritage in 2006, part of UNESCO's Intangible Cultu- ral Heritage. Visitors walking through the cave can explore stables, observe artisans at work, a n d f u l l y i m m e r s e t h e m - selves in the sights, sounds, and smells of the past. Each craftsman performs their traditional trade, turning the space into a living ethno- g r a p h i c m u s e u m . B l a c k - smiths, carpenters, stone- cutters, coppersmiths, and p o t t e r y r e p a i r e r s ( c o n z a p i a t t i o r l e m m i ) d e m o n - strate their skills alongside z a b b a r i n a r i , w h o w e a v e agave fibers. The path leading to the cave is lined with decora- t i o n s a n d m a r k e t s t a l l s , where visitors can admire a n d p u r c h a s e h a n d m a d e S i c i l i a n c r a f t s , a s w e l l a s local delicacies like sweets, cookies, and wine. Tradi- tional music completes the f e s t i v e a t m o s p h e r e , w i t h bagpipes (zampogne), flutes (ciaramelle), guitars, frisca- letti (small flutes), and tam- bourines filling the air with a celebrated tradition, with the ambitious goal of estab- lishing the town as a cultural Christmas hub in Sicily. Custonaci, too, boasts its own impressive setting. Located between Palermo a n d T r a p a n i , t h e a r e a reflects the deep history of Sicily, with its Caribbean- l i k e b e a c h e s a n d r u g g e d Mediterranean landscapes dotted with caves. In Scura- ti, a hamlet of Custonaci, there are no fewer than nine caves. In fact, the village itself is built within one of t h e s e r e m a r k a b l e f o r m a - tions, situated in the Monte Cofano Nature Reserve o v e r l o o k i n g S c o p e l l o . A m o n g t h e s e c a v e s , t h e t i m e l e s s m e l o d i e s . T h e music creates the perfect b a c k d r o p f o r w h a t i s undoubtedly the most mov- ing scene of all: the theatri- cal re-enactment of the birth of Jesus. These are just two exam- ples of Sicily's extraordinary nativity scenes, but there are countless others, each with i t s o w n u n i q u e s t o r y a n d charm. Another noteworthy cele- b r a t i o n t h i s y e a r w a s t h e 400th anniversary of Santa R o s a l i a , a figure deeply revered in Sicily. Although w e m e n t i o n e d t h i s e v e n t earlier, it is worth recalling that on November 29, dur- i n g t h e f i n a l o f t h e B e a W o r l d G r a n d P r i x i n Rome—an event judged by an international panel of experts—Santa Rosalia's cel- ebrations were recognized as o n e o f t h e t o p c u l t u r a l events of the year. Out of 460 entries from around the w o r l d , i t w o n t h e s i l v e r medal in the Culture catego- ry and the bronze medal in the overall ranking. Returning to Christmas, it's impossible not to men- tion the culinary traditions that, throughout December, go hand in hand with the religious celebrations. On December 8th, the spotlight belongs to buccellato, an iconic Christmas dessert. Then, on December 13th, during the feast of Santa Lucia, tables are filled with cuccìa—a dish prepared in various ways depending on family traditions. Other spe- cialties include risotto with beans and dried chestnuts, k n o w n a s c r u z z i t e d d i ( s o named because their shape resembles a skull), and in Palermo, the much-loved panelle—fried chickpea frit- t e r s — a n d , o f c o u r s e , t h e ever-present arancine. On Christmas Eve, tradi- tion calls for dried fruits and p a n e t t o n e t o t a k e c e n t e r stage on every table, served between rounds of tombola and festive toasts. Finally, the celebrations reach their peak on the night of Decem- b e r 3 1 s t , w h e n t h e m o s t anticipated toast of all rings in the new year. 1, 5, and 6, 2025, the 27th edition of A Light Among the Star s wil l take pl ace. This year, the event draws inspiration from post-war cinema in Sicily. The ancient natural caves of Spaccafor- no (the historic name for I s p i c a ) w i l l s e r v e a s t h e backdrop; here, stories will unfold through atmospheric music, traditional songs, and theatrical performances showing ancient trades. To add a modern touch, cine- matic projections will be displayed directly onto the rocky surfaces, creating a striking visual experience. This unique combination of tradition and innovation has made Ispica's nativity scene C hristmas is the season when we feel kinder and m o r e o p e n t o believing in mir- acles—a difficult sentiment in today's world, marked by so much conflict. Yet one recent event stands as a true m i r a c l e : t h e r e s c u e o f a n eleven-year-old girl in the Strait of Sicily. She had set out from Tunisia, narrowly escaping drowning by cling- ing to two inner tubes and wearing a life jacket. Sadly, her brother and forty-four others who were on the same small metal boat did not sur- vive when it sank in the same M e d i t e r r a n e a n S e a t h a t spared her life. The interven- t i o n o f t h e c r e w o f t h e Trotamar III, a vessel oper- ated by the NGO Compass Collective, saved her just in time. This is one of the reasons why Christmas should be celebrated. For this eleven- year-old, it marks a second birth, and it reminds us of t h e v a l u e o f e v e r y l i f e saved—especially those of people forced to flee their homeland in search of safety. Preparations for Christ- mas, often described as "the kindest celebration of the year" for the Christian world, began on December 1st—ear- lier than the traditional date o f D e c e m b e r 8 t h . A c r o s s cities worldwide, Christmas trees—whether real, artifi- cial, or creatively designed— are already on display, lit up and adorned with decora- tions. But at the heart of this holiday is the Nativity of J e s u s , t h e t r u e f o c u s o f Christmas celebrations. Fortunately, the tradition o f s e t t i n g u p h a n d m a d e nativity scenes in homes is s t i l l a l i v e , a n d a l o n g s i d e t h e s e , l i v i n g n a t i v i t y scenes have gained promi- nence. Sicily, in particular, is home to some of the most extraordinary and fascinat- ing examples. At two of the three far- thest points of Sicily—specif- ically in Custonaci in the Province of Trapani (north- w e s t ) a n d I s p i c a i n t h e Province of Ragusa (south- e a s t ) — C h r i s t m a s w i l l b e brought to life in 2024 with the same religious spirit but through distinctly different interpretations. In Ispica, from December 22, 26, and 29, and January TERESA DI FRESCO Christmas: a celebration of joy and brotherhood between tradition and modernity Buccellato (above) is often served in Sicily over Christmastime (Photo: Lorenzograph/Dreamstime) LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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