4th Gennaio 2015

Giuliana spent yesterday with friends in Vicenza.

I woke up and did some little jobs. At half-past 10 I met Alberto and his family at the church for mass. Afterwards they introduced me to a few people and then I came home for lunch, where I had cappelli d'angelo with cauliflower.

At half-past two I returned to the church to do some preparations for the Presepio Vivente, like cutting bread, putting olives in dishes and preparing the fire. Three-quarters of an hour later all the involved people went into the church for a few speeches and a short prayer. It was very odd seeing a church full of people in biblical costume, but it looked very good. I counted about 120 people. We left the church and walked around the whole presepio in a sort of parade, as some of the 'audience' had already arrived. Then we went to the olive grove and started picking (pretend) olives, putting (pretend) olives in trees, and serving (real) olives, dates and bread with olive oil.

Twice I went for a walk and took lots of photos. I will put a few at the bottom.

At six o'clock the prespio was officially closed. Everyone went back to the church for a few more speeches and then a couple of songs from the band and choir, who had been playing for the previous three hours. It was a jubilant atmosphere, and a conga line was formed by everyone in attendance, something else I was told was not a usual occurrence at church.

We returned briefly to the olive grove to dismantle it, and then there was a party in the church bar. There was pasta, porchetta, bread, omelette, crisps, olives and... panettone. Later there was pandoro. It was the at least the 9th time I have eaten the two cakes. I think I will suffer when they are no longer everywhere. I have been thinking that the factories that produce these must have huge warehouses so they can make the all year and release them all in December.

As Roncajette is a little town, everyone was very excited to have a foreigner, especially one not from Europe. I was very embarrassed when, first, a speech was made for me, then "For he's a jolly good fellow" was sung, in Italian.

I thought, all right, it is over now.

I was wrong. A couple came over to talk to me, as they visited Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in June. They liked Melbourne, and thought it had a nicer atmosphere than Sydney. While I was talking to them two people picked me up and carried me around the room. Just imagine how I was feeling.

Later, as we were about to leave, someone insisted that I stand on a chair and sing the national anthem. I did, and I think I was well received. Then everyone else sang the Italian national anthem, including the instrumental part.

It was a great day, and I think a Presepio Vivente is a great thing.