Christmas traditions
As in many homes around the world, the Christmas season [Natale] is eagerly awaited by the island's inhabitants.
The Advent period is a time for Christmas gift-giving, and for getting together with friends at the Ajaccio Christmas Market...
Come and find out how Christmas is celebrated in the Ajaccio region...
A family party
December 24th and 25th are spent with family and friends around a table filled with local, seasonal produce. Here, cabri (or lamb) replaces turkey with chestnuts.
The dessert is accompanied by Corsican clementines. This citrus fruit, characteristic of the autumn/winter season, is recognizable by its small size and green leaves. In 2007, it was awarded the Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP).
As you can see, the clementine is THE star of the end-of-year festivities, whether as a garnish for baskets of confectionery (chocolates, petits fours) or dried fruit, or as a table decoration...
The transmission of the Ochju...
Ochju refers to bad luck. Ochju means "eye", and a person suffering from ochju has what is known as the evil eye. The only way to get rid of it is to "get signed" by a signadore (also known as "get your eye or ochju done"). This is a secret prayer that can only be learned on the evening of December 24.
To protect yourself from the evil eye, you wear coral or a horned hand...
Babbu Natale [Santa Claus]...
Whether we still believe in him or not, Father Christmas remains THE central character of the end of the year.
Did you know that the song "Petit Papa Noël" (Little Father Christmas), one of December's greatest hits, was sung by a native of Ajaccio? Yes, Tino Rossi was born on rue Fesch (not far from the Musée des Beaux-Arts). He was buried in Ajaccio's marine cemetery, on the road to the Iles Sanguinaires. It was on this same road that he built his family home, at the end of the Marinella beach (which he also sang about).
2023 marks the 40th anniversary of his death. The town of Ajaccio will pay tribute to its Borgu native...
The tree and the crib...
Christmas decorations play an important role. Particular attention is paid to the nativity scene.
It's not unusual to arrive at our grandparents' home and marvel (even after a certain age) at the nativity scene. In addition to the traditional nativity scene, there's a meticulous reconstruction of a village.
On closer inspection, you may even recognize houses from your own village, lined with moss freshly picked from the scrubland...
The essentials for a good festive meal...
The ideal place to visit is Ajaccio Market to buy the ingredients you need for your recipe: fish, seasonal vegetables and fruit...
And don't hesitate to visit our organic and fine grocery stores, as well as our wine merchants. They'll be happy to advise you on the best products for your food and wine pairings (to be enjoyed in moderation)...
All that remains is to wish you a Bon Natale [Merry Christmas] and a Bon Capu d'Annu [Happy New Year]!
And, just in case Babbu Natale drops a plane or boat ticket to Ajaccio in your shoes, we'll leave you with some ideas for places to stay right here....
