In depth
What it is
The living nativity scene of Mezzano is a representation of the Nativity set up in Mezzano, a hamlet of Ravenna, in the Arena di Pietra area, in piazza John Lennon. It is organised by the association L'Arte del creare APS in collaboration with the Ravenna Committee of the Croce Rossa Italiana and the Associazione Onlus Casa d'Accoglienza Bambini Indifesi. It is not a static nativity scene to be viewed in silence, but an open-air village festival, designed to actively involve the local community, from schoolchildren to the hamlet's residents.
What makes it special
The heart of the display is the reconstruction of old trades, enacted by citizens and students from schools of all levels: a nativity scene that does not limit itself to the Nativity scene but also recounts the work and gestures of Romagna's peasant and artisan tradition. Around the representation, markets and food stalls develop, transforming the visit into an occasion for a widespread celebration throughout the hamlet. The setting is unusual for a nativity scene: the Arena di Pietra, an open-air space in the heart of Mezzano, designed to accommodate a large audience and to host multiple scenes and work stations simultaneously.
Origins and history
The public sources consulted do not report a founding date nor the name of who first conceived the living nativity scene of Mezzano: this information is not documented in the available official materials. It is certain that the initiative is now carried forward by the association L'Arte del creare APS, in collaboration with local organisations such as the Croce Rossa Italiana and the Associazione Onlus Casa d'Accoglienza Bambini Indifesi, a sign of an event that over the years has been able to interweave the religious and traditional dimension with the social and charitable one. Alongside the living nativity scene, the hamlet also hosts an exhibition of handcrafted nativity scenes made by residents, set up in piazza della Cooperazione and visitable by appointment, confirming a choral participation that involves the entire community of Mezzano.
What to see
Walking among the stations of the Arena di Pietra, one encounters participants engaged in the re-enactment of old trades, among improvised workshops, traditional work tools and scenes of everyday life from times past. The route intertwines with a market and food stalls where one can taste local products and dishes, whilst the organisation also provides prizes for those who participate in the initiative. It is a nativity scene designed to be experienced at leisure, from one station to another, in an atmosphere of popular celebration rather than solely religious contemplation.
When and how to visit
The living nativity scene of Mezzano is usually held on Christmas days, 25 and 26 December. In the last documented edition, opening hours were from 9.30 to 20.00, with free admission. The dates and times of subsequent editions are not guaranteed and should always be verified through the channels of the Comune di Ravenna or the organiser before visiting, as they may vary from year to year.
