The beautiful village of Pieve di Monti di Villa, one of the hamlets that make up Bagni di Lucca hosted the Presepe Vivente this year. The whole village stepped back in time and the residents from the area donned costumes and took up their ancient tools to create a living nativity.
I was very sorry to be unable to attend, but we have the next best thing. Two local photographers were there and I can show you their gorgeous photos.
Paul Anthony Davies from San Cassiano took these photos.
Here is the work of David Bonaventuri from Montefegatesi.
I truly love these events, especially the way people of all ages are involved to create something beautiful. I’m sure everyone who attended had a wonderful time.
I met up with Paul on the occasion. See also
https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/christmas-count-down-in-mediavalle/
By: Francis on December 7, 2016
at 9:27 am
I saw your post, it was great.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 10:07 am
Debra,
we have a wonderful presepe vivente here in Melbourne which takes place on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December. It doesn’t appear too dissimilar to what appears in the above photos with people threshing wheat, crushing grapes for wine, Roman soldiers, bread making and even three camels for the wise men.
A wonderful tradition,
Sauro
By: Sauro Antonelli on December 7, 2016
at 9:28 am
That sounds excellent. No doubt this is run by Italians.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 10:07 am
Thank you, Paul and David, for capturing the religious and festive spirit of Christmas in Pieve di monti do villa. Love the enthusiasm of the community to make this occasion special in a visual way. Magnificent pictures of the Living Nativity, the starry night, the costumes, happy faces and, of course, the delicious looking food!
I recall seeing a Living Nativity in Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills years ago. The whole town was also lit up for Christmas. inside one church hall, there were wonderful displays of Christmas trees in all their splendour. This is a yearly event and always popular. Lobethal means ‘Valley of Praise’ – very apt at Christmas time. Buon Natale.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on December 9, 2016
at 5:35 am
Many thanks for this article Debra. I met up with Francis for a quick catch up and then I saw David B. on my travels and we had a good chat. We agreed that Bagni is so fortunate to have at least 3 very good photographers in it’s ranks , which is the backbone of good PR , bringing tourists in and also bringing together the community. A great pat on the back to the organisers and participants also for this fantastic event.
By: Paul Anthony Davies on December 7, 2016
at 10:07 am
Seeing your photos is almost as good as being there. I saw you in a photo that someone else took. One day I will be around for the event.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 10:10 am
Great photos of a beautiful event.
By: Mulino Dominillo on December 7, 2016
at 10:31 am
I would love to be there one day.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 8:37 pm
Such wonderful photos. I enjoyed browsing 🙂
By: arlene on December 7, 2016
at 12:44 pm
The photos are excellent…like being there.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 8:38 pm
Very dreamy post, takes you back to a different time in our world 🙂
By: SammyandSufi on December 7, 2016
at 2:37 pm
I think the residents do a wonderful job on this.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 8:39 pm
Makes me wanna visit, sighs.
By: SammyandSufi on December 7, 2016
at 8:43 pm
what a wonderful group of portraits of the locals – beautiful light and beautifully composed – they do this every year? What a great tradition.. c
By: Cecilia Mary Gunther on December 7, 2016
at 4:14 pm
Three neighbouring villages take turns to host the event each year. They do a great job.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 8:39 pm
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By: ARMANDO LUCCHESI on December 7, 2016
at 5:29 pm
what a beautiful event!
By: Joe"s Retirement Blog on December 7, 2016
at 7:51 pm
The weather played its part well too. It looked like a glorious day and evening.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 7, 2016
at 8:40 pm
How absolutely wonderful and such great photos. I particularly like the ‘fairy lights’ in the sky – and the dog! Wouldn’t it be fabulous to be there one year. The people involved do such a great job.
By: Jan on December 8, 2016
at 12:36 am
I believe that do is Gertie.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:57 am
What gorgeous photos! The nativity scene is magical 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 8, 2016
at 2:41 am
I think it is great the the residents get involved in the event.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:57 am
Viva Italia !!!
By: corneliaweberphotography on December 8, 2016
at 7:46 am
Indeed.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:56 am
It looks like a very interesting event. Great photos! Thank you for sharing this information with us.
By: Renata on December 8, 2016
at 6:43 pm
I love the local events.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:56 am
Thank you, Paul and David, for capturing the religious and festive spirit of Christmas in Pieve di monti do villa. Love the enthusiasm of the community to make this occasion special in a visual way. Magnificent pictures of the Living Nativity, the starry night, the costumes, happy faces and, of course, the delicious looking food! Buone Natale.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on December 9, 2016
at 5:23 am
There is always good food at village events.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:55 am
Appears a grand time was had by all. Interestingly, the two door images captured my attention the most. Cheers to Paul’s work!
By: aFrankAngle on December 11, 2016
at 2:53 am
The Presepe is very popular.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:55 am
Thank you, thank you for this. Nativity event was something I didn’t get to experience while in Italy, except for an indoor Nativity scene show. What professional photos!
By: rommel on December 11, 2016
at 6:51 am
David and Paul are professional photographers.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 11, 2016
at 8:54 am
beautiful, I liked this. Bellissima!
By: holisticexchange on January 24, 2017
at 8:18 am
I love the local events. Lobethal means ‘Valley of Praise’ – very apt at Christmas time.
By: arsenios on June 6, 2017
at 3:02 pm
I love them too. I missed this one, but I hope to see it this year.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 6, 2017
at 5:27 pm
I recall seeing a Living Nativity in Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills years ago. Thank you, thank you for this.
By: timothyjcharles on June 21, 2017
at 10:58 am