Cantato e Cuntato Living Nativity

A nativity scene that comes to life in the ancient village

The Cantato e Cuntato Living Nativity is the grand Christmas performance of Casola di Napoli, a small town in the province of Naples nestled in the Lattari Mountains, in Campania. During the holidays, the historic center turns into a true animated nativity scene: the alleys, squares, and workshops of the ancient village become the natural stage for a choral tale that weaves together popular tradition, theatricality, and Christian sacredness.

Song and storytelling: the soul of the event

The event's name captures its identity: cantato (sung) for the folk songs and traditional sounds that accompany the journey, and cuntato (told) for the art of storytelling that guides visitors from scene to scene. The performance involves over 90 extras, 35 actors, and 10 musicians, along with elaborate sets, totaling about 135 costumed figures.

The path through the scenes

The journey begins on Via Vittorio Veneto, where visitors are welcomed with mulled wine and hot tea, and continues through stations set up in the village:

• artisan workshops and scenes of daily life from the past;
• moments of folk music and storytelling along the alleys;
• the market square animated by tradespeople and performers;
• the evocative Roman section, with legionaries and King Herod;
• the arrival at the Nativity Hut, the emotional heart of the route.

Recognized excellence

The event has received prestigious recognition: it has been highlighted by the Ministry of Culture as a significant nativity tradition, nominated as UNESCO intangible heritage alongside the famous nativity scene of San Gregorio Armeno in Naples. This milestone has placed Casola di Napoli among the most significant nativity events in the Campania region, capable of attracting over twelve thousand visitors, even from outside the region, during the very first evenings.

The grand finale of Epiphany

The event culminates on Epiphany, when the village hosts a grand choral parade that brings together all the extras, musicians, performers, pacchianelle (traditional folk dancers), and the Three Wise Men in a collective embrace. It is the most anticipated moment, closing the festival with an explosion of color, sound, and popular devotion.