The first Christmas tree in front of St Peter’s Basilica was erected in 1982 which, while not as recent as I might like to think, is neither aeons ago.
As I read this I can hear the voices of the young people down in the piazzetta beneath my studio...they are organizing for the Presepe Vivente which will be held in the medieval section, tiny winding alleyways for 3 nights during the Christmas week. . Its about 34 years they have been doing this, with over 100 charcters played by local people. The original Baby Jesuses are now all grown up, the girls begin young as washerwomen at the lavatoio and when they are older they might be selected to play the Madonna. Good fun if you are in the Vetralla area .
This must be the best and most enjoyable description of a presepe I have ever read, thank you!
Fabulous as always, thanks A. x
Thank you for sharing this fascinating story and also the lovely photographs. Nicely done and much appreciated.
As I read this I can hear the voices of the young people down in the piazzetta beneath my studio...they are organizing for the Presepe Vivente which will be held in the medieval section, tiny winding alleyways for 3 nights during the Christmas week. . Its about 34 years they have been doing this, with over 100 charcters played by local people. The original Baby Jesuses are now all grown up, the girls begin young as washerwomen at the lavatoio and when they are older they might be selected to play the Madonna. Good fun if you are in the Vetralla area .