Village in Italy celebrates 'Christmas' to bid farewell to summer

A table for 200 people, a tree decorated with twinkling lights and a climate more reminiscent of a December winter in the northern hemisphere than the scorching heat of August are the setting for a peculiar "Summer Christmas" celebration in Terranera, a small village in Rocca di Mezzo, in the province of L'Aquila, in central Italy.

The village is located 1,270 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Sirente-Velino Regional Natural Park. Due to the freezing winter temperatures, Pro Loco—a volunteer, non-profit organization formed by local citizens to promote and enhance their town or region and its cultural heritage—decided to organize an off-season Christmas dinner in the square, complete with a roaring fireplace and the typical red and white hats.

The idea came about almost as a joke, accompanied by panettones, mulled wine, and spectacular decorations. The weather even played its part: rain, fog, and nighttime temperatures near freezing transformed the Abruzzo region's summer into a perfect winter night.

In the vicinity of Altopiano delle Rocche, this is not so uncommon.

Thus, amid red tablecloths and colorful decorations, the city welcomed residents and tourists, quadrupling its population - from around 3,600.

Christmas carols, gifts, and photos under the snow-covered tree contributed to an even more surreal atmosphere. The initiative, which repeats itself cyclically to "welcome" the end of summer, changes its theme each year: in 2023, Disney characters were honored, while last year's edition focused on 2000s pop culture.

"It's a way to say goodbye to summer with a relaxed touch," Giuseppe D'Amuri, a teacher on vacation in the region with his family, told ANSA.

For at least 50 years, many have worked hard to make this small village a hub for social gatherings, at least in August. Interestingly, the leadership has recently been passed on to a new generation, whose children are able to share these ideas on social media, combining tradition with innovation.

The initiatives also attract occasional visitors, those who come to the site to breathe some fresh air and who, this time, found themselves putting up lights while wearing Santa hats.