Nesnovna kulturna dediščina

SANTA LUCIA MARKET STALLS - Veronese Christmas

območje : Verona
kategorija : social practices
The Veronese Christmas since the 1400s. A festive occasion that began as a sign of gratitude for "grace received". The modern version today still perpetuates the bond with pagan celebrations of the winter solstice prior to the feast of Santa Lucia. This rite survives in the festive chatter in the heart of Verona on the evenings prior to the occasion, when everyone goes looking for the right gift for loved ones, especially children.
The atmosphere of Christmas in Verona with its colours, flavours and lights begins to spread along the streets of the historic centre earlier than elsewhere and children’s celebrations reach their peak on the night of 12 December waiting for the arrival of Santa Lucia (Santa Lùssia- St. Lucy). Historic references to this custom are well documented.
The city was struck in 1400 by a terrible and incurable epidemic that affected the eyes, especially those of children, and could even cause blindness. The local people thought to ask Santa Lucia for grace and vowed to make a barefoot, coatless pilgrimage to the Church of Sant’Agnese, also dedicated to the martyr from Siracusa in Sicily and patron saint of eyesight, which stood on the site today occupied by Palazzo Barbieri. Yet the cold weather frightened the children and their parents only convinced them to take part by promising that obedience would be rewarded by the Saint in the form of sweets and gifts on their return. The children obeyed and the epidemic came to an end. The custom of accompanying children to the church in Piazza Brà continued through to the 1800s and the presence of so many children and parents began to attract sellers of confectionery and toys. It was here that the Santa Lucia Market came into being and still today, on the night of 12-13 December, children anxiously wait for the Saint, whose arrival is announced by the ringing of many bells. Santa Lucia reaches homes on the back of her donkey Poldo (el musseto) accompanied by her trusted bailiff (el castaldo) who helps her distribute gifts - that once were oranges, sticks of liquorice and torrone. Before going to bed, the Veronese customarily leave food on the table to restore these tireless travellers and their donkey (water, carrots, hay and stale bread ...) and children go to bed early, keeping their eyes closed tight fearful that the Saint - if she should find them still awake - may blind them with ashes. The morning after, Santa Lucia lets them find a plate of sweets, including the inevitable shortbreads (shaped like stars, ponies or hearts ...), that keep evil at bay and bring good fortune, as well as “gravel dell ‘Adige”.
Between 11 and 13 December, Piazza Brà is surrounding streets welcome the Santa Lucia Market, with more than 300 stalls selling cakes and sweets, typical produce from various regions and gift articles.The celebrations are made even more astonishing by Rinaldo Olivieri’s huge sculpture: a brightly illuminated comet star surging from the Arena into Piazza Brà as part of the International Exhibition of Nativity Scenes.
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