Genoa, Christmas is here. Luminaras, parades, Rubens and more: the secrets of the “European Capital” of the Festivities 2022-23
welcome to GenoaEuropean capital of Christmas 2022. After being awarded, together with the Spanish San Sebastiánthe prestigious title «for the high technical level of the presentations, for the proposals and the commitment in the working group the profound values of integration, tolerance, coexistence and peace which are at the heart of projects and at the origin of the project Europe » thanks to last year’s celebrations, the Ligurian capital is preparing to celebrate the nativity with many new initiatives focused on energy saving and sustainability.
On December 8, the big Christmas tree was lit Piazza DeFerrari, illuminated with economical LED lights, and the luminous maxi screen on the facade of the Palazzo della Regione, which will animate the square until Epiphany. On December 12, the video connection with San Sebastian, and a concert by Beppe Barra to prepare the official launch ceremony of the 2023 Christmas Capital, scheduled for December 17 under the patronage of the European Parliament. Scrolling through the calendar of scheduled events, it is not difficult to understand the reason for the recognition. Saturday 17th December There is the I confess, a rite of ancient origin, with the Abbot of the People – representing the citizens – who, after the merry parade in traditional costume, sets fire to a laurel trunk covered with branches. According to legend, embers bring good luck and you can understand how the new year will go from the flame.
Then there’s me cribs, a tradition for which Genoa has rivaled Naples for centuries. Absolutely to see those of the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Assumption of Carbonara known as “della Madonnetta”; the animated biblical one of the Cappuccini Cultural Heritage Museum, with seven motors that move over 150 characters between music and lights; The crib of Museum of the Ligustica Academy of Fine Arts, one of the smallest in the world, and the exhibition of Neapolitan nativity scenes at the Palazzo della Borsa. For shopping there are the Christmas markets, from the traditional and supportive one of San Nicola to the suggestive Mercatale, around Piazza De Ferrari, and the over 50 historic shops that can be found in the streets of the centre. Places such as the eighteenth-century Romanengo confectionery, probably the oldest in Italy; the Rivara fabric workshop, where you can discover the tradition of mezzari; the Viganotti chocolate factory, with its still working vintage machinery, or the more than 100-year-old Casana tripery.
There is no Christmas without music. They know it at Carlo Felice Theatre which, in anticipation of the “New Year’s Concert” at the Basilica Santissima Annunziata del Vastato in Genoa, is planning a “Christmas Concert” on Saturday 17 December and the concert “Mozart l’Italiano” the day after, while the new edition of “Churches in music” brings Christmas music and choirs to religious buildings. For lovers of Genoa painting there is also a special gift: Rubens. It starts from Palazzo Ducale which hosts the exhibition “Rubens in Genoa”, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the publication of the book “I Palazzi di Genova”, printed by the painter after several stays in the city. An exhibition that is an opportunity to go around the historic center in search of signs of the passage of the Flemish, from Palazzo Spinola to the Church of Jesus, from Palazzo Bianco to the various themed exhibitions scattered among the noble Palazzi dei Rolli and other places. To make it easier and more pleasant to discover the Genoa of Rubens it is also possible to take advantage of the “City Pass Rubens”, dedicated to those who spend three nights in Genoa, or join the special and engaging “Rolli Experience – Rubens Edition” package, with lots of gala dinner in a Palace usually closed to the public.