After the great public success recorded in recent days for the concerts in the caves of Massimo Ranieri, Patrick Girondi, Carmen Consoli and Neri per Caso, enchanted by the wonders of the Grave which enhanced the performances with an unparalleled show of music and lights, the "Christmas in the Caves” continues with a classic of the Christmas holidays: the living representation of the nativity.
Now in its third edition, the Living Nativity in the Castellana Caves, included in the broader calendar of "Winter Squares”, the rich program of events promoted from December to January by Municipality of Castellana Grotte and Grotte di Castellana Srl, is organized by UNPLI Puglia and Pro Loco “Don Nicola Pellegrino” of Castellana Grotte.
In the Caves the nativity scene takes shape at about 70 metres depth, and unfolds along a path of 1 km among caves, corridors, stalactites and stalagmites of the largest karst cavities in Italy, with 100 figurants in period costumes involved in 15 scene created by the set designer Rafox.
A group of music students from the Tauro Viterbo Institute of Castellana will entertain visitors on their way down to the caves. They will play the recorder and clarinet, directed by Professor Andrea Mongelli. A special guest will be the musician Cherisha Illir, violinist of Albanian origin, who will welcome visitors with ancient melodies before reaching the painting of the Nativity, while the voices of Federico Sgobba e Spring Victory they will try their hand at bel canto with traditional verses.
The Living Nativity Scene will open to the public from Saturday December 30 (from 5.00pm to 8.30pm) with reruns also Wednesday 3, Thursday 4, Friday 5, Saturday 6, and Sunday 7 January 2024, at the same times.
The first evening (Saturday 30th December) and the last one (Sunday 7th January) will be enriched by the extraordinary participation of YesFaCoro directed by the Maestro and tenor Nicola D'Alessandro.
«The Living Nativity Scene in the Caves represents an unmissable event for those who want to relive the dies natalis in a place of millenary memory, able to reconcile the visitor with the beauty of creation in a contemplative atmosphere and faithful to the real Christian values inspired by the representation of the Nativity of Bethlehem. – declared the vice president of Grotte di Castellana Srl, Serafino Ostuni The collaboration with UNPLI Puglia and the Pro Loco “Don Nicola Pellegrino” of Castellana Grotte was fundamental for the realization of this third edition of the Nativity Scene, which we welcome with joy."
“The action of UNPLI Puglia APS aimed at promoting the territory in its entirety and supporting tourism that can be enjoyed all year round outside of the strictly summer context, is concretized with this event which we are certain will leave a feeling of amazement and wonder in the eyes of visitors. – commented the regional president of UNPLI Puglia, Rocco Lauciello The living nativity scene in the Castellana caves, 70 meters deep, will allow us to combine the sacredness of Christmas with the celebration of our natural beauty."
“We are very proud to once again this year bring back a one-of-a-kind show that has already been appreciated in previous editions by the national media and especially by the families who have come from all over Puglia and beyond – said Piero Longo, president of the Pro Loco “Don Nicola Pellegrino” of Castellana Grotte – This is a true "cultural enterprise," which sees Pro Loco volunteers become self-entrepreneurs alongside the Grotte society. A truly virtuous example of synergy between associations and the municipality, founded not on welfare but on concrete participation, benefiting a common goal: promoting the Castellana Caves.
Tickets for the Living Nativity Scene are sold daily at the Grotte ticket office (opening at 4:30 PM). Prices range from €15 for a full ticket to €8 for a reduced ticket for boys and girls aged 6 to 14. For groups of more than 20 participants, reservations are required by sending an email to segreteria@grottedicastellana.it or by calling the 0804998221.
