CELEBRATIONS OF LIGHT 2023 – December 2023

Celebrations of Light 2023 is an event that encompasses two of the most eagerly awaited and special events of the year: the eve of Saint Lucia and the first day of the winter holidays.

Segni d’infanzia Association and the Municipality of Mantua, with the ever-valuable collaboration of the Department for Family and Parenting Policies, Childhood and Adolescence, Reconciliation and Equal Opportunities, and with the support of the UNICEF Committee of Mantua, are proposing two free events aimed at families: the first, on 12 December, dedicated to the festivity of Saint Lucia, which is very much heartfelt in the city of Mantua, and the second, on 23 December, as a wish of happy holidays from the community of Segni to the citizens.

Celebrations of Light 2023 wants to express through the metaphor of ‘light’ the importance of the meaning of the word ‘peace’, and it does so in the manner of Segni d’infanzia: by activating a dialogue between parents and children on the theme of Peace through the medium of art and culture, through the participation in the travelling events planned for 12 December and the viewing of a show, scheduled for 23 December, dedicated to reflection on the consequences of one’s actions and the ability to apologise.

The UNICEF Committee of Mantua in the framework of the event Celebrations of Light 2023 will activate a fundraiser in support of children living in difficult conditions and in war zones. The fundraiser will be active in various shops and places in the city that participate in the event. How to leave a donation: once you have registered for the event on 12 December (information and procedures follow), you can pick up the white ribbon for Peace – on which the public will be invited to write their own meaning of “peace” – and leave a free offering for UNICEF, between 30 November and 12 December in one of the 15 places taking part in the initiative, during their opening hours. At this link the list of places where you can take your own white ribbon for peace and make a donation:  segnidinfanzia.org/news/festa-della-luce/

Please note: opening times differ, interested parties are invited to check all details in the “Celebrations of Light 2023” news and on the site of the venues themselves.

The programme of 12 December 2023.

Celebrations of Light opens with a procession, on 12 December, which this year is made up of three different routes starting from three different squares in the centre of Mantua and then reconvening in Piazza Sordello. The three processions will walk through the alleys and squares of the historic centre, waving ribbons to be collected in the preceding weeks from a number of activities, venues and organisations in the centre.

Once in Piazza Sordello awaiting the public will be the famous Santa Lucia donkey and a light performance by artist Paola Berton, who, accompanied by fire, will perform dances and acrobatics to the sound of music, astonishing the spectators.

How to participate. To participate in the parade on 12 December, reservations are required on eventbrite.it. Important: reservations must be made for both adults and children participating. The public wishing to take part in the procession is therefore invited to choose one of the three available squares (Piazza Gasometro, Piazza Martiri di Belfiore and Piazza Virgiliana), identified as the “Starting point” of the available routes to reach the donkey in Piazza Sordello; the advice is to arrive a quarter of an hour before the start of the walk scheduled at 4 p.m. in the square selected as the starting point of your route.

Below are the routes and ‘Starting Points’ available for selection:

Procession 1: from Piazza Gasometro, at 4 p.m., the procession moves on to Piazza Aporti and then crosses Vicolo Carmine and Via Bertoni, takes the alley to reach Piazza Sermide and continues along Via Norsa, Via Dottrina Cristiana, Via Giustiziati, stops in Piazza Broletto and finally reaches Piazza Sordello.

Procession 2: from Piazza Martiri di Belfiore, at 4 p.m., we walk along Corso Libertà, reach Piazza Felice Cavallotti and take Via Grazioli, continuing along Via Roma, Piazza Marconi and Piazza Erbe, after which we turn onto Via Broletto and reach the last stage in Piazza Sordello.

Procession 3: from Piazza Virgiliana, at 4 p.m., start from the Bar Cerchio to go around the entire square, turn into Via Cairoli and then Via Montanari, Via Sant’Anselmo, reach Piazza Stretta and Vicolo Pace to stop in Piazza Canonica S. Pietro, walk along Vicolo Gallo and end in Piazza Sordello.

Programme Summary | 12 December 2023

3:45 pm – Meeting in the selected and booked square (Piazza Gasometro or Piazza Martiri di Belfiore or Piazza Virgiliana in front of the Cerchio bar) with ribbons in hand.

4:00 pm – Departure towards Piazza Sordello, following the route of one’s own procession.

4:30 pm – Meeting with Santa Lucia’s donkey and fire show.

FOR INFORMATION and booking:

eventbrite.it / 0376.752417

The programme of 23 December 2023.

The second event of the Celebrations of Light 2023 will be on Saturday 23 December, at 11:00 a.m., at Sala delle Capriate, ex Convento Benedettino, in Piazza L.B. Alberti, for the viewing of a special light show entitled “SCUSA” by Collettivo Clochart, directed by Michele Comite, performed by Viviana Pacchin and Stefania Favero with choreography by Hillary Anghileri.

The show wants to convey the importance of apologising when you make a mistake or asking for a courtesy when you interrupt something or someone.

What better theme for communicating and sustaining Peace than being able to apologise? Apologising is a remedy against hatred that helps to reflect, without ever being a sign of weakness, positively influencing relationships.

The show, aimed at an audience of families from 4 years of age, stages a quarrel between two sisters, with amusing disputes that come from the world of childhood but are often found in adults as well.

Fighting, which among children is almost a playful activity endemic to relational dynamics, is at the same time an opportunity for cognitive, emotional and social growth.

How to participate. To take part in the viewing of the show ‘SCUSA’, on 23 December at 11:00 a.m. at Sala delle Capriate, ex Convento Benedettino, in Piazza L.B. Alberti, it is necessary to book free of charge through the eventbrite.it platform. Important: reservations must be made for both adults and participating children.

For more information: segreteria@segnidinfanzia.org | 0376 752417 (from 9 a.m to 1 p.m.)