Corso Bersaglieri and its "magical" via dei Presepi, from 8 December 2020 to 6 January 2021

There are 12 nativity scenes located along Corso Bersaglieri in Perugia, of which eight are monumental and four are spread along the street, from the Ancient to the Modern, passing from the Traditional to that of Porta Pesa. Then there is the Historic Monumental “City of Perugia”, the Neapolitan one, the Animated Interactive one and the Arab one. It is the Via dei Presepi di Borgo Sant'Antonio Porta Pesa which has been confirmed every year for nine years. Even this year despite the pandemic.

The event is personally supervised by the Vice President of the Borgo Sant'Antonio-Porta Pesa Association, Marisa Rosi, who for many years has been passionately involved not only in organizing the event, but also in the artisanal creation of each component and structure present in the set-up. Therefore unique creations of their kind, rigorously handmade, which introduce the visitor to the spiritual atmosphere of Christmas.

The via dei presepi can be visited from 8 December 2020 to 6 January 2021. The route starts from an info point, at number 9 do Corso Bersaglieri, where you can request a map of the street.

Ancient crib at number 30: This nativity scene is an authentic masterpiece, begun in the second half of the 19th century by Artaxerse Angeli and was completed in the 20th century by his son Maceo Angeli, an important national artist. The “bambocci” as they called them in the family are all modeled by hand and are faithful portraits of the inhabitants of Assisi at the time. The faces of the characters have a very strong dramatic charge and must be observed with greatness
care. This nativity scene is an extraordinary testimony of a distant past, which brings to light the art and passion of two generations of our countrymen (prepared by Marisa Rosi and Giovanni Antolini.)

Modern nativity scene at number 30: The harmony of the earth is reflected in the terracotta figurines entirely handmade, in which we can see the naturalness of the expressions, which make this nativity scene truly uniqueis. The contrast of the straw and the grass, also natural, give an unparalleled scenic touch, especially in contrast with the comet and the galaxy that make up the starry sky, in a beautiful whirlwind of lights and colors.
This nativity scene also represents the fusion between modern technology and the ancient Nativity tradition (set up by Marisa Rosi, Giovanni Antolini, Paolo Cinti, Claudio Dal Lago).

Traditional Nativity Scene at number 34: It represents the crib tradition of our Umbria. The landscape is hilly like our territory, the materials used are cork, moss, and the particular paper that appropriately modeled reproduces the rock. It is characterized by a sense of depth and perspective, accentuated by the decreasing size of the characters. The statuettes in the front row were made in papier-mâché in the 19th century. The alternation of day and night is also worth admiring. (prepared by Marisa Rosi and Giovanni Antolini).

Porta Weighs Nativity Scene at number 44: Transposition of the nativity set in the present day in the scenery of Porta Pesa, a crossroads in the past of commercial exchanges and craft activities. Interesting is the position of the nativity which, placed under the arch of the Tei, lends itself to a focal point from which it ideally opens towards the square of Porta Pesa.

Historic Monumental Nativity Scene "City of Perugia" at number 54: It is a true work of art made by hand with infinite patience and is a tribute to the beauty of Perugia. The nativity is located in Piazza IV Novembre and around the Cathedral, the Fountain, the Palazzo dei Priori are admirably reproduced. Other monuments of the city are framed, from the Etruscan Arch to the keep of Porta Sant'Angelo. the rustle of the water of the Fontana Maggiore,
it is almost magical (conceived and set up by Marisa Rosi, Giovanni Antolini, Paolo Cinti).

Neapolitan crib at number 98: Neapolitan nativity scene of the highest craftsmanship, it is set in the 18th century in Campania, of which it reproduces costumes and architecture. It should be observed in the smallest details to grasp the refinement of the somatic features and clothes of the characters, as well as the architecture and glimpses of the interiors of the buildings, reproduced with meticulous attention (designed for Marisa Rosi by the Capuano brothers of San Gregorio Armeno - Naples).

Interactive Animated Nativity Scene to the sacristy church of Sant'Antonio Abate: Designed by Rolando Binucci, this nativity scene is the largest and most spectacular in the province of Perugia. It represents the houses and the inhabitants of Borgo Sant'Antonio who embrace the nativity. The visitor is asked to interact by entering a kind of initiatory path in search of faith, made up of a thousand situations and storms, at the end of which he conquers the vision of the nativity. In the setting, you retrace the entire day and are amazed by the suggestion of the many situations with animated figurines (conceived and created by Rolando Binucci).

Arabic nativity scene at the Piazzetta del Porcellino: Nativity scene set in a desert environment, with fine papier-mâché figurines at the end of the 1800s. An evocative game of perspectives makes the play of shadows and lights reflected on the desert sand very fascinating. This type of representation, outside the schemes of the crib tradition, is perhaps the one that best brings us back to the real context in which the birth of Jesus took place. (prepared by Marisa Rosi and Giovanni Antolini).

All while waiting for the feast of Sant'Antonio Abate on January 17, 2021 which this year, given the pandemic, will be greatly reduced. The blessing of animals is certainly one of the most beautiful moments for the particular atmosphere that is created, as it enhances the sharing of common values and principles, sociability and a sense of community. This magical atmosphere will not be able to be relived in the 2021 edition. The Covid -19 emergency imposes limits on sociability and the distancing between people which, in fact, make the very essence of the party disappear. But all is not lost! History and tradition are full of hindrances and stumbles.

On January 17th, accompanied by your pet, walk along Corso Bersaglieri to the church square; here you will find, in its original location, the statue of St. Anthony to ask for the blessing. Nearby, on a Roman column rock, you will notice the silhouette of a stone pig (symbol of the Saint); the borgaroli hand down that a "rub" on the stone is a good omen for the whole year.
In this difficult and sad moment, a walk in the Borgo and a dip in ancient traditions can be an alternative and intelligent way to celebrate Sant'Antonio Abate, protector of animals. For the party, as it is known with procession, band and stalls, the appointment is for 2022.

Copyright © | umbriajornal.com