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CHRISTMAS

Ten traditions that make an Italian Christmas

Did you know that cannons are fired in Rome to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, or that Italians ski down the slopes bearing flaming torches each Christmas Eve? For details of these and other festive traditions, check out The Local's list.

Published: 23 December 2014 17:00 CET
Ten traditions that make an Italian Christmas
If you're in Italy this December, you may come across some unusual traditions that come from the home of the Catholic Church. Colosseum photo: Shutterstock

Wonder why Italians eat fish on Christmas eve instead of meat? Or why some of them forego food entirely on December 24th?

If you're in Italy this December, you may come across some unusual traditions that come from the home of the Catholic Church.

Those in Rome will hear cannons being fired from the city's Castel Sant'Angelo, marking the birth of baby Jesus. In some parts of Italy, shepherds come down from the mountains to play music in local squares.

To find out more about these unique Christmas traditions, check out our top ten picks.

IN PICTURES: Ten traditions that make an Italian Christmas

Christmas photo by Shutterstock

Christmas photo by Shutterstock.

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CHRISTMAS

Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

A significant increase in families have sought Christmas help from the Danish Red Cross compared to last winter.

Published: 2 December 2022 18:15 CET
Thousands more families in Denmark seek Christmas charity

Higher process for food, electricity, gas and fuel are being felt by vulnerable families in Denmark, driving more to apply for Christmas packages offered by the Red Cross, broadcaster DR writes.

The NGO said in a statement that more people than ever before have applied for its Christmas help or julehjælp assistance for vulnerable families.

While 15,000 people applied for the charity last year, the number has already reached 20,000 in 2022.

“We are in an extraordinary situation this year where a lot more people have to account for every single krone to make their finances work,” Danish Red Cross general secretary Anders Ladekarl said in the press statement.

“For many more, their finances no longer work, and this is unfortunately reflected by these numbers,” he said.

The Red Cross Christmas assistance consists of a voucher worth 900 kroner redeemable at Coop stores or, in some stores, a hamper consisting of products.

READ ALSO: These are Denmark’s deadlines for sending international mail in time for Christmas

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