Story by Anthony Savvides
As Christmas approaches and the temperatures in Umbria continue to drop, Spoleto is preparing for the “Mercatini di Natale” (villages of Christmas), a revamped version of an old city tradition. The event will run from December 15-26 in Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza della Libertà, two of Spoleto’s most well known areas.
Wooden booths will be set up all over the city squares, each housing a different exhibit. These kiosks will each showcase traditional handicrafts and products from all over Italy and other European cultures. The city will be, for 11 days, transformed into a Christmas village, meant to fill tourists and locals alike with holiday spirit.
On Sunday, December 16, a performance of “Camomilla a colazione” (chamomile for breakfast) will take place at Teatro Caio Melisso in Spazio Carla Fendi at 17:30. The show is meant to kick off the festival. The comedy, set in Positano in the year 10, centers on the relationship between Enrico and Angelina.
“Mercatini di Natale” will also have a nativity set in the city meant to include as many families as possible. On December 8, the world’s first miniature nativity exhibit will open, displaying the work of many craftsmen, collectors and artists. The exhibit will open at Ex Museo Civico on via del Duomo at 10:00 and will remain there until January 14. Cribs, a symbol of the birth of Christ, will also be scattered in city windows. A discussion of cribs and the symbol of the crib will be held at 10:30 on December 15 at Palazzo Mauri.
To close out the “Mercatini di Spoleto,” a digital scavenger hunt will be held throughout the city. During “Obiettivo Spoleto,” clues will be sent via e-mail to teams, who will then have to locate the object or landmark in Spoleto and send in a photograph. Registration for the event is free, and the top three teams will be awards prizes. The event will help people get to know the city’s artistic and cultural heritage. For more information about the event, call Nicholas Marchi 3386683430.
“Mercatini di Natale” is sure to enchant everyone in Spoleto. Be sure to visit the official site for more details, and stop by Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza della Libertà between December 15 and 26.

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Nicolò Marchi 3386683430, Andrea Schiarelli 3932666531, Luca Silvestrini 3355906334