The Christmas lights were switched on in Barga this evening as part of the celebrations for Barga Cioccolata, now in its 5th year. Something of a change as they are generally switched on as part of the traditional religious festival of the Immaculate Conception, held every year on the eighth of December. Something also new in the choice of decorations and their colours. Very few red or green lights, probably thought of as the most “traditional” Christmas colours, instead this year it would seem that a bluish white light is the favoured way of lighting up the roads and shops. Some people when stopped and asked about their preferences this evening seemed to have problems with the blue-white lights, the phrase which kept popping up was that they were “cold lights”
Another novelty this evening was at 6 pm for the first time were switched on the lights of a giant Christmas star assembled by Bruno Biondi up at Sommocolonia, the small village overlooking Barga. The enormous size of the star will make sure that it can be seen from right across the valley.