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Christmas in Grado is a feast of colour, light, perfumes, sweet specialties, and artistic displays that skilfully blend street decoration with expressions of faith. In the protected area of the lagoon - an atmospheric blend of land and sea - Grado wears her winter finery as she hosts a party for the whole family in a blend of tradition, spirituality, music and fun.
In the weekends in early December and each day from Saturday 19 December to Wednesday 6 January, lively colourful street markets will fill the sea promenade and the squares in the old town with light, colour and perfumes.
From Saturday 19 December to 17 January see the Nativity Scene Exhibition. An expression of street-decoration creativity and religious sentiment: over 100 nativity scenes on show in the narrow streets and squares, in the harbour and lagoon. Traditional or nautical-themed nativity scenes which tourists can see as they stroll around town alone or in the company of a guide who will talk about the story of these charming exhibits, with the musical accompaniment of bagpipes from Val Pesarina. Guided tours (departure by ferry from Grado) have also been organised of the lagoon nativity scenes on the Island of Barbana, the site of a Marian shrine much loved by the people of Grado, who go on pilgrimage to the shrine every year in July.
Plus a whole range of children’s entertainment: from St Nicholas’ blow-up village with games and sweet surprises to the seashore ice-skating rink where you can skate under the stars until the old year ends, not forgetting Father Christmas’ traditional visit to distribute gifts.
Music lovers are spoilt for choice: on 19 December at 4.30pm in the Basilica of St Eufemia a concert by the Choir of Santa Cecilia, sixty performers in the choir and orchestra which have belonged to Grado for well over a century. They keep alive not only the authentic tradition of popular songs but also the church music which accompanies the main religious festivities including the traditional St Stephen’s Day concert on 26 December at 6pm in the Basilica.
Music and exhibitions throughout Grado also accompany New Year’s Eve celebrations which end with a fireworks display over the sea, bringing 2009 to a close in a shower of kaleidoscopic sparkles.
Lastly, on 5 January at 5 pm, in the harbour and in Piazza XXVI Maggio, there will take place the representation of “The Arrival of the Varvuole”, the legendary sea witches who are said to reach Grado the night preceding Epiphany to take naughty children away from their homes.
Info for the public
Grado Council
Tourism Board & External Relations
Tel +39_0431_898239-898224
Fax +039_0431_898205
turismo@comunegrado.it urp@comunegrado.it
Grado Impianti Turistici (GIT)
Tel +39_0431_899111
info@gradoit.it
www.gradoit.it
Posted October 28th, 2009 by bluwom
