The Multilingual Nativity Scene of Grumo Appula

Over the Christmas period many towns stage a living nativity scene, usually using characteristic settings and relying on the goodwill of... volunteers. Grumo Appula too — known as the birthplace of Sergio Rubini, the actor and director who used it as a film set for many of his films — has its own nativity scene, entrusted to the volunteers of the Monteverde centre of the parish of the same name (Our Lady of Monteverde is the town's patron saint). A feature of this nativity scene, set up in the old station, is its division into spoken living tableaux and the use of Latin and Hebrew for the scenes performed by the players or locals. At the end of the visit, mulled wine and pettole (leavened dough fried in boiling oil) for everyone. Fifth edition, definitely interesting for the curious and for those who love exploring the traditions of times gone by.

Also a chance to visit Grumo (Bari), its lovely historic centre and the Monteverde parish itself, which houses a fine 14th-century painting