In this blog, you’ll read about two annual Christmas traditions – the presepe or nativity setting created by Irene Zampin in Caselle di Altivole in the province of Treviso – and a community tradition in Adelaide
organised by the Trevisani nel Mondo.
In the view of Irene’s presepe above, pavers lead the way to the manger.
My presepe – 2024
For me November is a sad month because the first cold days show up and it is when I mostly get bored. The days become dark very early in the evening and the thermal changes bring colds and flus. To remove this melancholy, I have to find something that keeps me busy so I begin my research for some hints of how I could create my presepe.
Since I’m rather an impulsive person, it doesn’t take me long to decide how to proceed with it.
When I have gathered all I need to set it up, the fun begins with excitement.
Not far from home, there is a hardware store where the owners allow me to choose all the cardboard boxes I need to make my presepe, at no cost. If you have some imagination, it isn’t difficult to create one with recycled material such as the one I made. I used cardboard boxes for the houses, egg cartons to make the layer of bricks and some cloth to put on the washing cord. The only expense I had this year was for the green fake lawn that I bought for the ground. The statues are recycled every year.
As you can see, the presepe is made with 4 cardboard boxes, they are easy to set up. Each one represents a scene. The main part of the presepe represents the nativity of Jesus which is in a stable near luxurious houses. To keep the holy family warm in the stable, there are the ox and the donkey that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem.
Every scene took me about 4 to 5 hours. With the help of the precious hot glue, I assembled the 4 sceneries together so I must say that it took me around 20 hours to complete the presepe. Since I am not a patient person, when I start something I like to finish it quickly, but not always things turn out as I wish.
I love building up the presepe; the only thing that bothers me is putting in the lights because the electrical wires often get tangled when passing through each box.
I made my first presepe in 2016 when my grandsons asked for it. This year Mario is 15 and Tommaso is 13 years old and they help me. To involve my grandsons, I make them create the old look of the houses. Mario tore up some paper from the carboard and painted a light layer of white on the walls while Tommaso created the rooftop where there is the washing line. I still glue all the statues to the floor because both of them love teasing me by changing the positions of the statues.
Since I have lots of friends that pass by to see my presepe, I keep it out for 6 weeks; 2 weeks more than the usual month (8th of December till the 6th of January). Of course, when they are here, we have a cup of coffee or tea.
You can play a short video (1 minute, 26 seconds) taken by Irene that shows the features of the presepe.
Every year, I participate in a program of one of our regional TV channels which makes an exhibition of homemade presepi.
Irene Zampin
15 December 2024
The Christmas picnic organised by the Trevisani nel Mondo, Adelaide
For 42 years, the Trevisani nel Mondo Association in Adelaide has organised a Christmas picnic for members and friends. The Trevisani nel Mondo is an international not-for-profit association that represents people and their descendants who migrated from the province of Treviso. Local chapters exist around Australia – and the world.
Each year the Trevisani nel Mondo in Adelaide organise a series of gatherings beginning with the Annual General Meeting in February. A Committee, currently consisting of 13 people, organises the events and other groups of volunteers – including a member who is over 90 years – assist with preparation of food and hospitality.
The first large social gathering is the autumn picnic in March. In May, members attend a lunch and the June Castagne or Chestnut event is very popular with attendees who take home packets of roasted chestnuts. In August the Trevisani commemorate Pope Pius X who was born in Riese, a village in the province of Treviso. He was elected Pope in August 1903 and the lunch brings together many people with connections to Riese Pio X. The Christmas picnic is the most popular event in the Adelaide chapter of the Trevisani nel Mondo calendar.
The 2024 picnic was held on 1st December. About 400 people attended including young children who welcomed Father Christmas (Peter Rebellato) who made an entrance and moved around the groups who enjoyed the shade at Sunnybrae Farm, Regency Park.
Madeleine Regan with assistance from Anna Mechis nee Rebellato.
Photos by Chris Rebellato nee Mattiazzo.
15 December 2024
Happy Christmas. Buon natale.