Buon Natale

Annual Christmas procession in Thrissur, Kerala, India

Buon Natale
GenreCultural festival
DatesDecember–January
Location(s)Thrissur City, Kerala
Years active2013 – present
Next event27 December 2024

Buon Natale is the cultural festival organized by the Thrissur Archdiocese and Thrissur Citizenry in association with Christmas celebration. It is held at the premises of Thrissur city in Kerala every year from 2013. Buon Natale procession entered the Guinness World Records in 2014 for having the maximum number of people dressed up as Santa Claus.[1][2][3][4] This event was started to raise charitable funds along with the celebrations.[5][6]

History

The Buon Natale was first conducted by the Thrissur Archdiocese in 2013.[7][8] This was flagged of by former president of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.[9] 5,000 Santa Clauses and 2,000 angels was part of this cultural event.[10] On 27 December 2014 this event had the participation of 18,112 number Santa Clauses and won the Guinness World Records.[1][4] Due to COVID-19 pandemic there were no celebrations in the year 2020 and 2021.

  • PLot at Buon Natale 2019 procession
    PLot at Buon Natale 2019 procession
  • Santas walking during Buon Natale 2019
    Santas walking during Buon Natale 2019
  • Buon Natale procession closing ceremony 2019
    Buon Natale procession closing ceremony 2019

2022

The 10th edition of Buon Natale was held on December 27, 2022. The procession started from St. Thomas College, Thrissur and goes round through the Swaraj Round, Thrissur. The Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, John Barla was the chief guest of the 2022nd Buon Natale.[11][12]

  • John Barla, Union Minister of India interacting with the Buon Natale participates
    John Barla, Union Minister of India interacting with the Buon Natale participates
  • Santa Clause dressed participants
    Santa Clause dressed participants
  • Buon Natale 2022 Plot
    Buon Natale 2022 Plot
  • Santa Clause dressed participants
    Santa Clause dressed participants


2023

Swaraj Round, a vibrant cultural hub in Thrissur, has been the spirited stage for the festive dances of countless Santa Clauses, providing a lively showcase of Kerala's rich pluralistic cultural heritage. From nursery students to spirited senior citizens, some surpassing the age of 80, and women, all donned the iconic attire of Christmas Papas, joyously dancing to the tunes of special Buon Natale songs. Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, mayor M K Varghese, MP T N Prathapan, and MLAs P Balachandran and Saneesh Kumar Joseph, district collector Krishna Teja were among those who participated in the opening session.[13]

  • Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
    Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
  • Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing
    Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing
  • Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
    Buon Natale 2023 participants dancing to the tunes of Buon Natale songs
  • Buon Natale 2023 Plot
    Buon Natale 2023 Plot
  • Buon Natale 2023 Plot
    Buon Natale 2023 Plot

Procession

The procession starts from St Thomas College in Thrissur, encircles Swaraj Round and ends at Saktan Thampuran Ground. Members from different churches under the Thrissur Archdiocese participates in the procession.[5][14]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Buon Natale' enters Guinness World Records". The Hindu. 28 December 2014. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Mighty 'Buon Natale' procession paints Thrissur in red". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Indian Parade Sets Guinness Record With 18,112 Santas". National Catholic Register. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b "People in Kerala create world record for largest Santa Claus gathering | News - Times of India Videos". The Times of India. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Largest gathering of Santa Claus". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  6. ^ "Buon Natale exhibition begins". The Hindu, Special Correspondent. 20 December 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Santas' day out in Thrissur". Deccan Chronicle. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  8. ^ "Santas on wheelchairs". www.thenewsminute.com. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  9. ^ IANS (27 December 2013). "5,000 Santas, 2,000 angels in biggest Xmas pageant". Business Standard India. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  10. ^ "5,000 Santas, 2,000 angels in biggest Xmas pageant". Firstpost. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  11. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (23 December 2022). "Buon Natale-2022 to be celebrated on December 27". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  12. ^ "buon natale thrissur അണിനിരന്നത്..." www.twentyfournews.com. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  13. ^ "More than 10,000 Santa Clauses add colour to Buon Natale celebrations at Thrissur". The Times of India. 28 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Thousands of Santa Clauses descend on Thrissur". The Hindu. 27 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buon Natale, Thrissur.
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