Presepi in Festa / Natività d'Amuri

A widespread Christmas in the village of the Sicani Mountains

In Burgio, a small town in the province of Agrigento nestled in the Sicani Mountains, the Christmas season is not limited to a single evening but extends throughout the holidays, from December 8th to January 6th. The "Presepi in Festa" event (also known as "Presepinfesta") transforms the entire historic center into a widespread route of art, faith, gastronomy, and popular traditions, capable of attracting citizens and visitors from all over Sicily.

The artistic nativity scene trail

The common thread of the event is the trail of artistic nativity scenes set up among churches, historic palaces, and picturesque corners of the town. Created by the citizens themselves using the most diverse materials—ceramics, glass, stone, recycled materials—the nativity scenes tell the story of the creativity and artisan identity of Burgio, a village famous for its ceramics and bronze bell casting. During the holidays, churches, monuments, and the prized Ceramics Museum, the pride of the town, remain open.

Natività d'Amuri: the living nativity

The emotional heart of the festival is the "Natività d'Amuri" living nativity, staged in the setting of Piazza San Luca and the Church of San Luca. The scenic route winds through evocative tableaux that recount the daily life and characters of the Nativity, amidst lights, music, silence, and ancient gestures that create an atmosphere suspended in time. The scripts are signed by Maria Concetta Aquilina and Salvatore Monte, who also oversees the direction and staging of the entire performance. In previous editions, the Nativity was set at the evocative Peralta Castle, a medieval fortress of Norman origin.

Markets, flavors, and traditions

Alongside the nativity scenes, the village comes alive with craft and local product markets, rich gastronomic tastings—from oranges to the products of the Sicani Mountains—and the notes of bagpipers who accompany the festive days. Among the most deeply felt traditions stands out "La Strina", an ancient custom of the Baby Jesus, which, in the first days of January, passes through the houses of the town collecting offerings intended for those in difficulty, in a sign of solidarity and community.

An experience for everyone

Open to families, children, and visitors, "Presepi in Festa" is an invitation to rediscover the authentic Christmas of small Sicilian villages, where spirituality, art, and conviviality merge. The event is organized by the Municipality of Burgio together with the Pro Loco Sikania APS and the Sipario 4 Cultural Association, with free admission confirming the desire to make the event accessible and inclusive.