In IFLAC, we want you to learn not only a new language but a new culture too. Our student Yashas answers some questions about why he is learning Spanish. There are many reasons to learn a new language and a powerful reason is getting involved in a new culture. Italy, Spain, and Germany have many stories besides their languages. One of them will take part tomorrow. Christmas is just around the corner hence Italians and Spanish people start to feel the atmosphere since late November, but the Christmas season officially starts on December 8th, the Day of Immaculate Conception. On this day many Italian families decorate their home and trees, bake cookies, wrap their presents, and schools and offices are formally closed. From this day on, up to December 26th, the holiday atmosphere gets bigger and bigger.
But why is December 8th so important to the Italians? December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, so it celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on December 8, nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8 and in Italy, the feast of the Immaculate Conception (L'Immacolata Concezione) is a public holiday.
Since Italy is a religious country, the festival of Immaculate Conception Day is considered as an important religious day in their calendar. A day when many Italians attend a church mass to honor Mother Mary. In big cities, there are no processions but people go to churches to listen to a mass whereas, in smaller towns, the celebration consists of carrying statues of Mother Mary around the town as a procession along with street jugglers and street clowns.
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