From 3 December to 10 January, songs, re-enactments and many other initiatives
Songs, historical re-enactments, charity events, markets and activities for children. These are just some of the initiatives - organised by the municipality, the Pro loco 'Aldo Caselli' and 'Marsilio Ficino', the natural shopping centres 'Il Granaio' and 'Le Botteghe del Petrarca' together with the local voluntary associations - with which Figline and Incisa is preparing for Christmas. Kicking off the programme will be the opening of the Christmas markets, set for 3 December in the Arena in Piazza Serristori in Figline (behind the Garibaldi Theatre) where they will remain until 10 January (here the full programme).
The celebrations will continue on Saturday 5 December with the lighting of the illuminations, Christmas carols by the students of the Schumann School and the Arci Music School, as well as the 'Christmas Carol' flash mob of the Garibaldi Theatre Choir (in Piazza Ficino at 5pm; in Piazza Santa Lucia at 6pm). In addition, throughout the day, it will be possible to buy a Christmas star in the square in favour of AIL (Italian Association for the Fight against Leukaemia), which will allocate the funds raised to research.
The next day, in Piazza Marsilio Ficino, there will be historical re-enactments with the active participation of the four historical districts and the Sbandieratori dei Borghi e Sestieri Fiorentini: from knights and ladies in celebration to the reconstruction of a real market, from Dante's readings to costumed dances, from the challenge with the flags to the presence of guards, armourers, falconers, archers, acrobats and fire-eaters (3.00-8.00 pm). Alternatively, on the same day, Piazza Santa Lucia will host the Christmas market from morning to evening: an initiative that will also be repeated in Figline, on 8 December, on the occasion of the 'recovery' of the Tuesday market. Also for the Immaculate Conception, an information stand on blood donation will also be present in Piazza Bianco Bianchi, organised by the Fratres blood donor group of Figline (8-11 a.m.). It will instead be the Calcit association that will collect funds to be used for the purchase of cancer prevention equipment, through the craft market that will be set up all day in Corso Matteotti 59. The day of 12 December will instead be dedicated to music, which in Figline will be played along Corso Mazzini and Corso Matteotti and in Piazza Ficino by the 15 musicians of the Sciacchetrà Street band (4pm-8pm).
On Sunday 13, it will be Incisa's turn to host the Christmas events, which will start in the morning with the daily market in Piazza Santa Lucia. In the afternoon, space will be given to events reserved for families, starting with the puppet show "La neve di Natale" (3.00-16.00 pm). This will be followed by treasure hunts, workshops, and games for children and parents: from discovering the history of Incisa Castle to a walk along the Via Romea, departing from Piazza della Repubblica and stopping at the Museum of Sacred Art and Casa Petrarca (4.15pm-6pm). At the same time, the Schiacchetrà Street band will repeat the Balkan music show in Piazza Santa Lucia. At 5 p.m., a charity concert by the Schola Cantorum Carmen Campori is also scheduled at the Garibaldi Theatre in Figline. The proceeds from the event, which celebrates the school's 20th anniversary, will be used to purchase several defibrillators to be installed in public places.
Still on the subject of music, the Christmas initiatives also include the third edition of the "daltrocanto" choral festival promoted by the Garibaldi Theatre Choir: the first appointment is on Saturday 5 December at 9.15 p.m. in the Collegiate Church of Figline, where the Ermenegildo Cappetti Chorale of San Giovanni Valdarno conducted by Maestro Lorenzo Martellini and the St. Mary Gospel Choir, conducted by Maestro Maurizio Bonatti, will perform; the festival will continue on 8, 24 and 29 December.
Returning to family events, inflatables will be installed in Piazza Ficino from 16 to 24 December. On Saturday 19, again in Figline, the official start will be given to the 'Most Beautiful Shop Window' competition, dedicated to the shops in the historical centre set up with a Christmas theme (the best display will be awarded a prize at the end of the festivities). On the same day, there will also be entertainers, children's make-up artists (from 3pm to 6pm) and a Father Christmas on a sleigh (from 4pm). The day will end to the sound of music, in the company of the Schiacchetrà street band (4pm-8pm).
M. Regina parish choir (3 January, 5 p.m. Matassino church) and with all the initiatives that will bring the befana to our town on 6 January: the "purple" one at 4 p.m. at the municipal stadium in Incisa and the one pulled by a donkey cart at Poggio alla Croce (7 p.m.).
