Italy is our country, our wonderful country. It is rich in breathtaking natural landscapes as well as in amazing cities of art. We should name them all because every Italian region offers places of stunning archaelogical, artistic, cultural and natural value. It was the cradle of the Greek and Roman cultures but even during the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque Age it gave birth to incredible intellectuals, writers, musicians, artists. We call it "lo stivale" because of its funny shape (like a boot). We love our food, our delicious culinary traditions,our musical language and our Constitution. Italy founded the European Union in 1958 with the Treaty of Rome but  it belongs, at the same time, to the common Mediterranean culture.

Christmas is joyfully celebrated in Italy but with different traditions according to the region. Here in Campania (South of Italy) the climate is mild, snow rarely falls in Salerno, a seaside town. On Christmas Eve young people gather in the streets for an appetizer before heading home for what we call the "cenone", a big, delicious fish dinner that lasts until midnight when  Baby Jesus figure is laid in the crib. The "presepe" (crib) is the reconstruction of the grotto where Jesus was born, with Joseph, Mary,  donkey and ox, the three Wise men, surrounded by shepherds and street sellers of food and handicrafts. You'll find the "presepe" in every Italian house, especially in the South, next to the Christmas Tree. I'm looking forward to celebrating Christmas. We won't let Covid destroy our dreams of peace. Merry Christmas from Italy! Buon Natale!