Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
→ Ferragosto [fer:a'gosto]
On the 15
th
of August people celebrate the Assumption of Virgin Mary: “Assunzione di
Maria”. Christian people attend Mass and then everybody goes to the beach. This is time
of vacation for nearly everybody, so many people are not at home, especially if they live in
the North of Italy or in cities far from the sea, where the weather is really hot. A common
practise is the “gavettone” [gave't:one]: teenagers play throwing cold water against each
other.
→ Tutti i santi ['tut:i i 'santi] / Ognissanti [oɲi's:anti]
On November the 1
st
, many Italian honor the lives of their deceased relatives and all the
saints (All Saints' Day). They visit special church services and place flowers on family
graves.
→ Immacolata Concezione [im:ako'lata kontʃetsi'one]
On Dicember 8 people celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception: the belief in the
conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in her mother's womb free from original sin. Chris-
tian people attend Mass, and everybody starts making the Christmas Tree (albero di Natale)
and the Nativity scene (Presepe).
→ Natale [na'tale]
On Christmas Eve (Vigilia di Natale) people buy the last gifts and prepare a festive family
meal (for the dinner of the Eve or the lunch of Christmas day... or even for both occasions!)
On 24
th
December at night, or the next day in the morning, many people attend a special
Mass.
At Christmas children get up early hoping to find many presents under their Christmas tree,
and thank “Babbo Natale” (Santa Claus) for having been so good with them!
Families spend the rest of the day eating, chatting and playing bingo, cards and other board
games.
→ Santo Stefano ['santo 'stefano]
This day is also known as “the second day (of Christmas)”, “il secondo giorno” [il se'kondo
'dʒorno]. It is celebrated almost like Christmas: people take the occasion to have lunch with
