Christmas in the streets of Apulian villages
The Christmas season is a special time that fills both adults and children with joy: the streets fill with people, lights illuminate the corners of the cities, and the scent of delicious Apulian products spreads everywhere.
At this time of year in Puglia, tradition and folklore take center stage: there's no event or typical dish that isn't celebrated, and this applies to every area of Puglia, from the largest cities to the smallest villages.
Both in the Bari area, in the Itria Valley and in Salento there are lively and cheerful Christmas markets , where you can buy handcrafted products and artefacts; the backdrop is provided by the decorations that adorn the historic centre, such as Christmas trees, lights and garlands... but not only that! In fact, in many towns it is also possible to witness shows These events recall popular and rural traditions, such as the zampognari (men dressed in traditional peasant clothing who play the zampogna, an ancient wind instrument with which they reproduce traditional Christmas tunes and march through the city streets), the pizzica performances typical of Salento accompanied by the rhythm of the tambourine, and, why not, Santa Claus's walk, where he meets the little ones and gives them sweets.
Among the markets it is usual to find stands that prepare and offer Typical products : pettole, cartellate, taralli, glasses of excellent local wine, bruschetta and much more!
Some towns like Tricase, Pezze di Greco, Canosa di Puglia, Gravina and many others have a long tradition behind them, that of Living Nativity Scene . Visiting a living nativity scene means immersing yourself completely in the past and observing ancient crafts, clothing, and traditional objects. It's a tradition that involves everyone: adults, children, and animals like donkeys, sheep, and calves are the protagonists of the nativity scene.
But there are not only living nativity scenes, also papier-mâché and terracotta nativity scenes carefully crafted by the hardworking hands of artisans who can be visited in various areas of Puglia, especially in the Lecce area.
Christmas also means relaxation, therefore, the welcoming farmhouses and resorts of Puglia open their doors to welcome those who wish to treat themselves to a stay characterised by tranquility and excellent traditional dinners.
For further information about the beautiful Christmas period in Puglia you can visit the website www.pugliaetmores.it .
Source: Nonno Michele Editorial Staff