Saturday, 13 December (from 3 p.m.) big challenge to light up the Nativity scene.
A Christmas version of the Palio to light up the Nativity scene. This is tomorrow’s new event – Saturday 13 December (from 3 pm) – when, on the occasion of the opening of the “Via dei Presepi” (which also includes the nativity scene that lights up with table football goals), a table football tournament will be held between the Contrade del CaStellare (the Palio di Castelfiorentino), until the final and the winning goal that will trigger the lighting of the nativity scene.
Eight teams (corresponding to the districts of the Palio) will compete for the tournament, each consisting of two players, who will play the quarter-finals and semi-finals on the two foosball tables that do not have the mechanism that lights up the nativity scene, while the 3rd and 4th place finals and the grand final will be played on the foosball table where this little “technological secret” has been installed, a gem conceived thanks to the creativity of the nativity scene makers of the “All’Ombra di Membrino” Association.
But that’s not all, because the ‘Via dei Presepi’ has other unmissable gems in store for visitors: such as the nativity scene set up at the Oratory of Santa Maria delle Grazie (formerly the Masetti Chapel, owned by the Misericordia), created by Elisa Puccioni, which depicts seven works of mercy through watercolour paintings: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering pilgrims/the homeless, visiting the sick and prisoners, and burying the dead. The site has undergone extensive restoration work, and the Misericordia is taking this opportunity to appeal to the public for help in completing some of the remaining work.
Among the new features are the “Di..vino” nativity scene, set up with lots of wine bottles, the nativity scene that traces the journey of St Francis (who, as is well known, created the first nativity scene in history), the “Presemino” (a moving nativity scene), the “Fratres” blood donor nativity scene, a nativity scene dedicated to the theme of peace, a nativity scene made from recycled materials and one in terracotta, an original embroidery and crochet creation, and even a Lego nativity scene at the Museum of Santa Verdiana. Finally, there are many precious confirmations, such as the Meteorological Nativity Scene and the Luminous Nativity Scene, which has been further enhanced this year (it took one and a half kilometres of wire to create it) and ensures a wonderful scenic effect at the foot of the ancient city walls.
‘La Via dei Presepi’ is organised by the ‘All’Ombra di Membrino’ Association in collaboration with the Municipality of Castelfiorentino. The event is part of ‘Terre di Presepi’, a network of dozens of municipalities in Tuscany (such as the Municipality of Castelfiorentino). As usual, the entire route can be viewed on a map available online (on the Facebook page of the Municipality and ‘La Via dei Presepi a Castelfiorentino’). For further information: Castelfiorentino Tourist Office 0571.629049. To view all the nativity scenes participating in the project: www.cittadeipresepi.com
