Christmas

All over Italy, the solemn rituals of Christmas Eve (in Italian, Vigilia - meaning ‘keeping watch’) are celebrated. The traditional Vigilia feast involves fish, and is made up of seven dishes to represent the seven sacraments, with simple pasta dishes that do not contain any meat, at least until after the celebration of the midnight Mass. Some people like to eat a light meal before the Mass, followed by a huge celebratory feast afterwards, featuring fresh pasta, roasted meat, guinea fowl, and traditional cakes and pastries. After all this feasting, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) tend to be much quieter days, largely devoted to visiting family and friends.