|
Forza
D'Agrò, as a small village rich in ancient traditions, is the ideal place to
celebrate the most ancient "event" of the world: the Birth of Jesus Christ.
And so, the young
people of the village, assisted by the adults, wanted to present this
thousand year old event in the most ancient and fascinating
corner of Forza D'Agrò: the "Quartarello" quarter,
an old medieval area dating back to the 14th Century, situated at the foot
of the
Norman castle. The natural landscape setting in itself
is a great attraction for visitors who are completely surrounded by the
surreal environment and almost become an integral part of the Holy Crib. The
narrow and ancient
streets are
illuminated by fires and filled with the pleasant scent of
incense that blends with smells of the new and excellent local wine. Through
the air circulate sounds and voices coming from various "workshops" where
ancient crafts are practised. Visitors may see the ancient crafts at work,
brought back to life by the various "shopkeepers" with fresh, hot bread
flavoured with olive oil and pepper produced in the surrounding countryside,
with hot "crispelle" and excellent local wine. Other crafts to see include
the
iron-working, the traditional and careful
production of cheeses and ricotta, the old-fashioned
method of washing clothes using water and ashes, the hard work carried out
by the women
millers and all the other trades (carpenter,
shoemaker,
cooper,
fishmonger, grocer,
baker,
innkeeper
etc...). It takes almost two months to prepare the Holy Crib with attention
given to the smallest details, thanks also to older villagers who provide
antique objects and tools. A highlight of the presentation is the
spectacular shooting star that guides visitors to the Holy Crib as it guided
the Magi during the night two thousand years ago. The commitment and
work of the young people has been duly rewarded by the attendance of many
visitors. The performance is usually held on Boxing Day and
for Epiphany.
Text M. Verzino E. Di Cara |
