Children see Christmas as a magical moment. Everything is jazzed up and the typical Christmas markets multiply. Ventimiglia has a Scandinavian feel with the Christmas Market chalets, until 8th January in the Giardini Reggio, which host a Gospel concert, the New Year’s Eve celebration, a toy collection and a posting point for your letters to Father Christmas. An actual Christmas Village takes place in Bordighera from 8th December to 8th January in the station square with Christmas lights and decorations, a skating rink, markets and other attractions.
There is a full program of events in Sanremo: concerts in various locations, theatre events in the town centre and in the Pigna – in addition to the return of Music in the churches.
Ospedaletti offers traditional Christmas songs (27th December) and a meeting with writer Bruno Ormezzano on the 30th.
On Christmas Eve, after the midnight mass, the appointment is round the bonfire in the historic centre of Bordighera, to drink hot chocolate or mulled wine with the “Foegu du Bambin” (Baby Jesus’ bonfire); in Bussana of Sanremo, the meeting place is in the Sanctuary square; in Triora, where the ancient bonfire is called “osu”, Father Christmas will arrive on his sled with gifts for the children; grappa is distributed together with the panettone both in Diano Gorleri and Diano Calderina.
Christmas also goes well with the sea. On Saturday 24th December, the Baby Jesus will arrive from the water in Diano Marina, carried by underwater divers. In Imperia, Father Christmas arrives from the sea (complete with wetsuit and snorkel) bearing gifts for the children. Father Christmas also arrives from the sea in Bordighera, bringing sweets and hot chocolate for the kids.
Crafts take the stage in San Bartolomeo al Mare from 26th to 30th December.
Sanremo is planning a surprise for the last day of the year, the protagonist of the concert in the piazza will be a famous Italian artist, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra. This will be followed as usual by the fireworks from the Old Port. The New Year is also celebrated in the square at Diano Marina, with live entertainment presented by Gianni Rossi and Polo DJ.
Following tradition, New Year’s day will offer chamber music in Bordighera, with the local Symphony Orchestra playing at 5.30 pm in Palazzo del Parco, whilst the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra will be on stage at the Casino Theatre. The bravest of the brave will as usual greet the New Year by plunging into the sea for their winter endeavour.
[Ilaria Grigoletto]
