Christmas: exciting illuminations
2 minutes
When it is almost time to say goodbye to 2021 and new hopes are already being placed in the year to come, everywhere in Italy welcomes a flourishing of decorations and the reflections of illuminations, from the smallest villages to the great cities of art.
Let us take you on a journey to discover some spectacular light installations, often the work of top names in the world of contemporary art. A tradition that is enriched every year with new "sets", the work of creative artists travelling from all over the world to embellish streets, alleys and squares. If you are in Italy between mid-December and mid-January, simply take a look around and after dark let yourself be guided by the many displays of light...
Venice - Christmas of light
The most eagerly awaited event of the year is nearly on us and Venice is preparing for the ritual celebrations by illuminating its alleys and squares. The main gate to Venice lights up, the connection node between the city of water and the city of land. St. Mark's Square and the Marciana area also light up, as well as the main streets in the Santa Croce, Cannaregio, San Marco and Castello districts. Lights and installations will shine bright until the end of Carnival, an iconic appointment in Venetian life.
Turin - the home of "Luci d’Artista"
The "Luci d’Artista" (Artists' Lights) event was held for the first time in Turin in 1998. It aims to convey art in the city centre through of "sculptures or light installations" boasting strong visual impact and emphatic symbolic and conceptual values.
Over the years, other cities have emulated Turin by replicating the "Artists' Lights" event, thereby creating a creative and cultural exchange between north and south that is constantly enhanced over time.
Salerno: "Artists' Lights"
The Salerno edition of "Artists' Lights" offers visitors iconic elements of Christmas in the form of light installations and authentic light sculptures.
Taranto turns on the lights at Christmas
Taranto, the city of the two seas, is decked with light over the festive period. The illuminations are lit up on the day of Santa Cecilia (22 November) giving the city, and especially the Borgo Umbertino quarter, the warm embrace of the Christmas atmosphere. Games of light, concerts, events and markets complete Christmas in Taranto alongside a ride on the Ferris wheel or the vintage horses of the wonderful merry-go-round, as well as skating on the ice rink.
Alberobello: a nativity scene of light
Alberobello welcomes the site-specific Christmas installations illuminating the Rione Aia Piccola area - one of the five the town is divided into and the only one with no business activities. The installations, distributed along the alleys of the quarter, give life to a luminous nativity scene with 30 figures and 12 attractions, giving a magical touch to the trullo-homes emblematic of this splendid UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sorrento: " M’illumino d’inverno" (Illuminating winter)
In addition to its unquestionable charm and Christmas lights, Sorrento at the end of the year also stages the Professional Cinema Days, many shows with street artists and fireworks. An impressive programme of ideas to enjoy in the magnificent coastal setting with plenty of music. The peak moment is expected on 31 December in Piazza Tasso, where internationally renowned artists will perform in a New Year's Eve concert.
