Il Christmas is a magical period to be experienced throughout the Sicilia: the cities fill up with people, splendid decorations, the villages dress up for the holidays, markets and nativity scenes are set up in the most beautiful churches.
in this most characteristic villages in the province of Catania, they survive traditions, rites and customs connected to the The fire, in his sacred guise. With #itCatania Today we take you to discover the “Christmas log” or of Bonfire on the eve of December 24th, which features the characteristic Zucco, U' Zuccu, one of the most significant events related to Christmas. The fire takes on a high symbolic value on this night: Is the light that clears the darkness.
Fire: symbol of purification and transformation
Fire has always had a special significance in the eyes of men. It plays a significant role in numerous religious cults and traditionsIts symbolism is varied and complex: it refers to transformation, purification, life-giving and destructive power; fire is the main architect of all metamorphoses. Few symbols, in fact, show their duality like this one: the flame warms, gives life but destroys. Fire is dominated by Hephaestus, which lives in the bowels of theEtnaThe story of is also emblematic Prometheus. As the Fenice, promises us rebirth, shows us that death is a passage from one state to another, taking on a sacred and profane value.
The nights of the bonfires
Throughout the centuries, this cheerful, playful, and powerful fire has been chosen to enliven many celebrations. In tradition, bonfires are lit to give life to community moments of high value. In many places, thelighting of fires and bonfires, invites participants to throw away old things or notes with prayers and wishesFire burns everything that must be abandoned. Furthermore, large and small bonfires have always been lit. to drive away the darkness and the cold, for to protect from evil and disease. During the swinter olstice, when the days are shorter, it was customary to light fires to propitiate the rebirth of the Sun.
I summer bonfire They are made to celebrate the maximum splendor of the Star, to propitiate the days to come. In ancient times, pagans used to light the midnight fire in August to give thanks to the gods, asking them to drive away evil spirits.water, instead, allowed for the purification of the spirit and the body. In short, it was a sort of farewell to summer.
Arabic origin of the name Zucco
The term Zucco, which became dialect u'Zuccu, has clear Arab origin and indicates the branch that grows from the lower part of the trunk of a tree such as the chestnut, hazelnut, pine, olive and other varieties rooted and present in the Etna area. The trunk, as an essential requirement, had to burn slowly. It becomes the stump, the "tree of life and the sun”, which refers to the figure of Christ.
Lu zuccu it is the nfiriuri part of n'àrvulu of which the erect part is jisa, the roots are dipàrtinu and nàscinu jèttiti novi.
From this tradition also derives that of Dolce named Christmas log.
Zucco, one of the typical Christmas Eve traditions
A ritual that is performed in good part of the province of Catania, which has its origins in ancient pagan traditions, later acquired by Christianity, is that of the Zucco, from the strain. As in many other countries, not only Italian, it is common in Christmas night, turn on a large fire in the main square of the townIt is a huge bonfire, which is made with large logs. Around the fire, tradition lives on through convivial and social moments, with folk songs, dances and sounds. It spreads through the streets of the town the sound of bagpipes and shawms, as the flames grow ever higher.
The bonfire unites the town's inhabitants, creating a family atmosphere.
Christmas lights are an echo of these traditions, an attempt to bring light back to the dark winter months.
Light that renews
Many people don't know this ancient popular tradition of Zucco. The flame, becomes a symbol of faith, of sacred or profane love, of passion, of attraction; is light of the new year which is about to arrive. In the Christmas night has taken on the meaning of fertility and life, the Light of salvation that incarnates, the arrival of the Baby JesusThe bonfire can also be interpreted as the shepherds' fire that on the night of the child's birth the fire lit the way to the hut or, more simply, on the coldest night the fire warmed while one stayed awake and awaited the coming of the Messiah.
How Zucco is made
Il Christmas bonfire retains its meaning and charm even today. It is a real The performance, not only for citizens, but also for tourists who decide to spend the Christmas holidays there. The woodpile is ready to burn and illuminate the "Holy Night." It's prepared a few days in advance, searching for branches in the surrounding countryside. In other contexts, however, the wood is donated by the residents themselves.
The ceremony takes place before the traditional Christmas Eve dinnerThe wooden pyramid is blessed by a priest in the presence of the mayor and other institutional officials. Simultaneously with the ringing of the bell, prayer begins. Then the procession returns to the square shortly before the midnight massAt the end of the celebrations, it was customary to take a piece of wood from the firewood home to fuel one's hearth as a sign of good luck.
The cities of Zucco
This rite is celebrated, with unchanged fervor, in the towns of the province of Catania: Acireale and its hamlets.
Acicastello, Acitrezza, Giarre, Mascali, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, Castiglione di Sicilia, Linguaglossa.
Belpasso, Pedara, Nicolosi, Zafferana Etnea, Randazzo, Riposto, Valverde, Trecastagni, Santa Venerina.
A tradition to be preserved
These manifestations connected to fire, to bonfires have become, opportunities to promote the territory, historical and cultural sites, traditions, food and wine and quality products of every reality. They attract tourists and are re-proposed for educate the new generations to protect the old customs of the pastAround the fire, the city, its past, and its history come together. An ancestral, evocative spectacle that connects us to nature and religion, the most authentic, far removed from Christmas shopping and the frenzy of the holidays, which promises to warm the hearts of all who attend and actively participate in the event.
“Lu zuccu di Natali sta' addumatu
'ppi the joy of Jesus Bamminu,
prianu tutti cu' cori e cu' ciatu
how many do not miss the distinction!
Mittemuni on their knees
è natu oramu lu Bamminu amatu,
sing the best songs
'in this artareddu everything is ready'
Photo source: Davide Basile
Recommended reading: “The flames of the saints: ritual uses of fire in Sicilian festivals”, by Ignazio Buttitta.
Sources: https://catania.meridionews.it/; https://www.facebook.com/benedicaria/posts/lu-zuccu-il-fal%C3%B2-acceso-la-vigilia-di-natale-in-sicilia-lu-zuccu-di-natali-sta-a/1663758030330080
