Pozzolengo Celebrates Christmas with Nativity Contests, Processions, and Music
With the grand Epiphany bonfire, the Christmas holiday celebrations in Pozzolengo came to an end. The various events were organized by the Culture Department of the Municipality, in collaboration with local groups, associations, and districts of the town. An interesting highlight was the nativity scene contest organized by the Club Pozzolengo, now in its 35th edition, which saw the participation of about fifty nativity setups. There was no single winner, but four entries tied for first place, while all participants received a memento.
Stunning and evocative, on Christmas night, there was a procession featuring participants in period costumes. Starting from Piazza San Martino, they paraded through the streets of the town to reach the stable located at the end of Via Gramsci, paying homage to the baby Jesus, surrounded by the Madonna and Saint Joseph. The scene was even more touching because, after 25 years, snow fell on the holy night.
Christmas Events and Traditions
The parish choir, directed by Renato Gandini, performed Christmas carols both on Christmas night at the Nativity scene, during the Midnight Mass, and on Epiphany Day. During the Epiphany procession, in costume, the Magi joined the choir, starting from the town hall and walking along via Gramsci to bring their gifts to the baby Jesus in the nativity stable.
After paying homage to the Magi, the procession continued towards the end of via Europa near the square dedicated to the Alpini, where a large bonfire had been lit.
On Christmas night, while waiting for the traditional midnight Mass, members of the Pozzolengo Fishermen’s Section offered mulled wine and hot chocolate, just as the residents of the social housing made offerings during the burning of the old figure on the large bonfire.
Musical Events and Awards
A beautiful musical performance took place on the afternoon of Epiphany in the parish church before the nativity scene awards ceremony. The «Elfran Ensemble» — composed of Angela Citterio (flute), Elisa Citterio (violin), Francesco Lattuada (viola), Gionata Brunelli (cello), and Anna Loro (harp) — performed exquisite classical pieces such as “Suite de trois morceaux,” “The Swan,” the dance from “The Lake of the Swans,” “The Young Prince and The Young Princess,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Dreams Are Wishes.” The repertoire was drawn from renowned composers like Gadard, Paganini, Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Korsakov, Menken, and Hoffman.
Despite featuring pieces of very accessible classical music, the children were very attentive, helped by Angela Citterio’s gentle presentation of the pieces. Besides being a talented musician, she is also an excellent presenter. The other performers were equally impressive, all musicians whose fame has extended beyond Italy.
We especially highlight Anna Loro, a well-known harpist born in Desenzano (just a stone’s throw from Pozzolengo). In addition to her concert activity, she holds the position of Professor of Harp at the Brescia Conservatory of Music.
Silvio Stefanoni