In Italy, the nativity scene – or crèche – is called presepe or presepio (pl. presepi) and has been an important part of the Christmas celebrations for centuries.

Up to this day there exist in many parts of Italy some presepi which are living events, with actors reenacting the Nativity scene, or static nativity scenes, built indoors or outdoors near churches, with figurines depicting the infant Jesus in the manger, Mary, Joseph, and a series of angels, shepherds, and animals.

In many private houses, too, children and adults keep on building their own nativity scene every year, like small – or sometimes large – dioramas, very detailed and quaint.

 

Traditionally, you set up your presepe on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, and every day from then on someone in the family is supposed to move across the scene the three figurines depicting the Three Wise Men – in Italian, I Re Magi – until they arrive by the manger, on January 6th, the Epiphany – l’Epifania. That’s when you are supposed to take down your nativity scene, together with all the other Christmas decorations around the house. That’s why in Italian there’s a saying which goes “L’Epifania, tutte le feste si porta via”, which means “The epiphany carries away all festivities.”

 

Vocabulary:

Presepe, or presepio —> masc. sing. = crèche / nativity scene

I Re Magi —> masc. plur. = The Three Wise Men

Epifania —> fem. sing. = Epiphany

Festa dell’Immacolata Concezione = the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Giuseppe —> Joseph

Maria —> Mary

Gesù bambino —> the infant Jesus

Pastore —> masc. sing. (plur. pastori) = shepherd

Pecora —> fem. sing (plur. pecore) = sheep

Angelo —> masc. sing. (plur. angeli) = angel

Mangiatoia —> fem. sing (plur. mangiatoie) = manger