The program of events for the holidays was presented. The Christmas Village opens on Friday 1st December, on Sunday 3rd the Jesolo Sand Nativity and a new look for the Ice Nativity Scene. New Year's Eve returns to Piazza Kennedy.
Jesolo is ready to become... the City of Christmas. The municipal administration has presented the schedule of events that will liven up streets and squares during the upcoming holidays, starting from Friday 1 December until Sunday 7 January and beyond with the Jesolo Sand Nativity which will close its doors to visitors only on Sunday evening February 4. The first official event of the holidays is set for Saturday 2 December with the inauguration of the famous sand nativity scene, which will open its doors to visitors the following day. The 21st edition of Jesolo Sand Nativity takes on the title of “In the footsteps of Francis of Assisi”, a journey that will tell the life of Saint Francis of Assisi through 12 episodes key precisely 800 years after the creation by the "poor man of Assisi" of the first nativity scene in history in Greccio. These moments will be represented by 14 artists from all over the world, professional sculptors coordinated by the new artistic director of the event, the Canadian David Ducharme, and thanks to the precious collaboration of the >Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi. A bond that will find maximum expression thanks to the presence of a large sculpture that will be sculpted in the next few days in the area in front of the lower entrance of the Basilica of the Saint: a majestic work 8 meters long, 4 meters high and 4 meters deep with the Holy Family, Saint Francis and the angels which will be officially presented on 8 December, the day of the Immaculate Conception.
This year, visitors to the Jesolo Sand Nativity will be welcomed by “The Scream”, an imposing wooden sculpture (4 meters high, 1.80 meters wide) created by the Venetian artist Marco Martalar with natural waste elements of spruce and beech scraps collected in the woods of the Dolomites destroyed by the Vaia storm in 2018. One of the most representative works of the Vaia cycle and a figure dear to Martalar artist who often found himself sculpting anthropomorphic forms and in particular hands. This, specifically, embodies the cry of the woods hit by Vaia's gusts of wind. A hand reaching upwards, trying to extend from the earth. The attempt to personify the value of its components: the wooden remains of the woods of the Asiago plateau, already naturally inclined to regain new forms and continue the natural cycle of existence.
In the historic center, the presence of the wonderful Ice Nativity is consolidated and expanded. This year the initiative, now in its third edition, takes a step forward: from 6 to 10 December a group of artists will sculpt the sculptures hosted this year in the large sub-zero display case set up in Piazza I Maggio. The event is further expanded with an entrance worthy of its charm thanks to a large illuminated arch and a renewed team of sculptors which will include professionals such as David Ducharme, the artistic director of Jesolo Sand Nativity, then the Russian Ilya Filimontsev and the duo from Mongolia composed of Tsagaan Munkh-Erdene and Enkhtaivan Uugantsetseg. Their works will be created from 70 blocks of ice weighing 125 kilograms each. Everything will be protected inside a large case where the temperature will be kept constantly between 10 and 14 degrees below zero. The inauguration will be held Sunday 12 December.
Completing the Jesolo of nativity scenes will be another confirmation, that of the Sassi Nativity scene which will warm up Piazza Milano exactly like last year. Another wonder of the city, hand-crafted by the sculptor Sergio Dalla Mora.
Great news, however, in Piazza Marconi which will become a fantastic place with “Jesolo Incantatus”. A large tensile structure will reproduce the legendary Hogwarts castle, hosting reconstructions of the world of Harry Potter and the magic will continue outside thanks to fantastic displays. An event not to be missed for fans of the incredible saga born from the imagination of the British author Johanne Kathleen Rowling. From 17 December to 7 January there will be magic and illusionism shows and workshops, with specialized artists and actors, dedicated to the little ones but not only.
On Sunday 3 December the municipal administration will officially open the doors of the Christmas Village, which can be visited starting from Friday 1 December. The great event will liven up Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Aurora and Via Silvio Trentin with 75 houses, from which 13 stations will be created with double houses to be used as a refreshment point. A significant figure considering that, as already happened last year, the municipal administration had set a maximum of 40% of the spaces to be allocated to food and drink supply activities, with the aim of favoring craftsmanship and the sale of traditional local food and wine products. The two squares, as usual, will represent the two poles of entertainment especially for the little ones: Piazza Mazzini will host the ice rink and various rides while in Piazza Aurora you can find the House of Santa Claus, who will reach you on December 10th aboard a sleigh pulled by the reindeer Fulmine and Saetta, then the post office, a carousel and a 37 meter high panoramic tower which will overlook the square, including a large 14 meter high luminous tree. During the official inauguration ceremony you will be able to witness the traditional lighting of the large decorated tree in Piazza Mazzini set for Sunday 3rd. A sea of lights and festive colors that will illuminate the beach until Sunday 7th January but also of music and entertainment thanks to Radio Bellla & Monella, Radio Piterpan and Radio Marilù which will also be the official radio stations of the Christmas Village this year but, more generally, of Jesolo City of Christmas.
The City of Christmas will also nourish soul and mind thanks to numerous cultural events. For the entire month of December, and until January 28, 2024, the JMuseo will host an exhibition curated by the master Agostino Busanel dedicated to nativity scenes. The first date to mark on the calendar is December 8th with the return of the "Christmas Gala" to the Vivaldi theatre: a dance show involving various local entities, curated by M&M events, starting from 6.00 pm. This great event is followed by a second one, entitled "Opera in a Nutshell", scheduled for December 17th, in which the world of dance will marry with other theatrical genres. Saturday 9 December will be the day of "Life and adventures of Santa Claus", a show dedicated to children. On Saturday 16 December the Vivaldi stage will host the concert with the Villa Lobos Cello Orchestra, in the context of the Veneto International Music Festival. The same day "The Elegance of Art" opens, an exhibition dedicated to contemporary art hosted at the Kursaal conference center until December 24th. The gospel concert returns to the Vivaldi on Wednesday 20th December, with two subsequent appointments on Friday 29th and 3rd January. Finally, unmissable are the musical events on Tuesday 26 December with the classic Christmas concert and, on Thursday 28 December at the Vivaldi theatre, the modern one with the Aurora Wind Band which offers a repertoire from the Seventies, Eighties and Ninety. Highly anticipated, this year too, is the traditional New Year's concert which will feature Luca Minelli and his band at the Vivaldi theater from 5.30pm. On January 4, however, the concert "Christmas in music" will be held at the church in Piazza Milano.
After the great success of last year, the transition between 2023 and 2024 will be marked by the New Year's Eve in the square which this year doubles the party. Piazza Kennedy will, in fact, become the stage for the musical performances of the DJs of Radio Bellla & Monella, Radio Piterpan and Radio Marilù. At midnight the square will stop for a toast and a fireworks display. The great show will continue on January 1st starting in the afternoon with the highly anticipated participation of a super guest, whose name will be announced in the next few days.
“Jesolo is confirming itself as a true and large city of Christmas – declared the deputy mayor and councilor for commerce, Luca Zanotto -. As regards the Christmas Village, I would like to underline how this event has attracted particular attention this year from the operators who wanted to be present inside the houses to the point that, despite having increased the number, we will not be able to welcome everyone. The set-up phase has begun in these hours and, together with the houses, a long roof of lights will be installed which will connect the two squares but will continue to give a sense of continuity with those already installed after via Alberti. It will therefore be an even more beautiful and engaging Village".
“Jesolo Sand Nativity kicked off the idea of Jesolo City of Christmas, a simple name but one that perfectly represents what Jesolo is becoming during the holidays – added the tourism councilor , Alberto Maschio -. With what we are putting in place in terms of resources, projects, work and operations, Jesolo can truly define itself as one of the cities in Italy on a par with the best known and most renowned ones, in the mountains in particular".
“We thought of cultural events that could be offered mainly to residents, covering all age groups and maintaining the quality bar high, but we know that they will help attract audiences from outside the city too – declared the councillor for culture, Debora Gonella -. We will have gospel concerts and the very confirmed Christmas and New Year concerts, then an evening of classical music. The program is completed with a playful and recreational part, partly designed for children and families, which will certainly involve everyone".
