European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 22, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Story and illustration by Alba Bragoli Mediterranean Bureau. Italian Chri Vinias Iradi tins arc enchanting. Bagpipe players sweeten City streets with caroling. Nativity scenes pop up in every Church and in every Home. So inspiring. So Catholic. Ortu not quite.  in fact Many of the customs  make up an italian Christmas Are rooted in Heathen superstitions far More ancient than Christian traditions. Even the Dale of the Celebration of Christ s birth Din be tier to a Pagan rile. No one knows few sure when Christ was born in was t until the fourth Century thai dec. 25 was officially marked As the Day of the holy event. Bui in pre Christian Rome dec25 was the Day of the saturnalia a festival when the dead were believed la return 10 judge and Pesler the. Living slaves held orgiastic feasts in their masters Homes and Pagan gods were bribed with Rich offerings and  ingrained customs Don l always die but. They have a Way of trickling Down through he centuries and if Only symbolically the Beliel s of the roman shave survived in italian peasant traditions. In Tuscany a Large Oak log is burned in the fireplace on Christmas eve. The fit Isa sign of hospitality and As Long As there Are burning embers the from door remains open or All passersby of come in and partake of food and wine. In the Region of Puglia the Dak log is surrounded by a Dozer freshly Cut Olive branches representing the 12 apostles. But a More ancient purpose is uncovered when the Young people of the household poke at the branches from the Sparks that shoot up the eldest woman reads their fortunes. In Abuwi the dead Are said to come Back on Christmas eve to cast critical eyes on their progeny. To ingratiate the departed a family member must keep Vigil through. The night with a Black cat Mil on the right shoulder and food offering on the Mantle. In Calabria children born or Christmas Eye Are regarded As werewolves As no one bul Jusus is supposed to come to life on that night. To be saved from the evil spell Radii not maintains he child must be baptized before easter. In Many towns throughout Italy folks carry torches to the main Square to Light bonfires around which they la King and dance till in s Lime to head for Midnight mass. As they gather around the fire friends give each other brooms with which to sweep nil evil and troubles away. Roman slaves did the same Hiing at the end of saturnalia.,Lovers Exchange Rod underwear Justa ancient lovers exchanged red undergarments to wish each other a Yeai of continuing passion tradition / commands thai lovers Shoy off the red underwear to one another on new year s  traditions Are also deeply rooted in legend and superstition. In ancient limes the gods of nature ruled cycles of feast or famine. In december pantries generally were still Well stacked Rind plump barnyard animals were ready for butchering. To ensure a continuing season of plenty the fickle deities were appeased with animal sacrifices and offering of Grain dried fruit and null. To this Day. In Lombardy a Faller urd Chicken is roasted for Christmas dinner. The bigger the Chicken the belter the auspices. In the Bologna Region a. Spiced pork sausage is served with boiled lentils. The sausage is a Symbol of Prosperity and lentils Are a Symbol of Money. The More one eats the Richer that person will be in the coming year. In Sardinia the Fallest Lamb is roasted on i Lipil. The Shepherd who refuses to sacrifice his prize Lamb at Christmas is sure to encounter a flock of trouble. In Naples Large headed eels Are specially fattened in holding tanks for Christmas dinners when they will. Be deep Fried while still alive. The demand for live eels is so High that prices normally around $10 per Pound jump Loas muchas$40. Vel  neapolitan would go Home on Christmas eve without a package of squirming   cakes Are still those thai were favored by the ancient Godsin Florence it s a Flat cake packed with almonds Honey and candied fruit. In Naples it s deep Fried nuggets of Sweet dough symbolic of Gold coir piled in a Pyramid. The  Pyramid the More favourable the Omen. In Many Mountain villages the preferred Christmas dessert is a pudding made from he blood at a freshly butchered pig /. V and All Over Italy the Light Fluffy Christmas bread known As Paner fone is everybody s favorite. Even Paner fone goes much  in Lime Shari most people might guess. Ancient writings mention a bread mixed with raisins and candied Squash left to leaven for two Days so Hal 11 would bake higher than any Oiher bread the Only bread fit for the gods 22  Dtta Motril 1988