If it's a Zampogna, its Christmas

As soon as there is a chill in the air in Rome, you know Christmas is around the corner.

And the great thing is, as long as there is no chill in the air, you know there will be no chance of festive decorations blotting the landscape.

It's a kind of pact between the autumn seasonal cycle and the Comune di Roma to not ruin our end of year break by starting it in September.

And to prove our theory, the temperature really did drop today, dutifully accompanied by the first and traditional zampognari.

These colorful caracters wear sheepskin and are typically found in the central Italian Apennines and the Lazio Abruzzo border.

They play one of Europes oldest instruments, a type of bagpipe but with a very high pitched sound.

Its a great site and passers by normally give them a few cents for their efforts. 

Just to make sure they were the real deal, we asked from where in Abruzzo they originated. The reply was Castel di Sangro. The follow up questions regarded the local football and their successful run in the late 1990's. All passed with flying colours and blind faith in their team. 

Head to Piazza Navona this Christmas to find them for yourself.

http://www.zampognari.com/testo_inglese.htm