Years ago, when it wasn’t common to have running water at home in Abruzzo, on the first day of a new year, women would go to the village fountain to collect clean water in their copper conca or basin and take it to friends and neighbours as a gift.
They would deliver it with a saying, “Buongiorno e Buon Capodanno, questa è l’acqua pulita che ti porta un inizio pulito per il nuovo anno.” – ‘Good morning and Happy New Year, this is the clean water that brings you a clean start to the new year.’
In honour of this tradition and taking in my ties to both Australia and Italy, I poured Australian water into an Abruzzese basin (not a conca but my great-granny Maddalena’s copper cooking pot that she brought all the way to Australia from Abruzzo).
The gushing cold water bubbled in the hot sun and I felt hopeful for a clean and fresh new year. To wash away all that’s not kind or respectful, to embrace the gentle, thoughtful and giving, and also, to be thankful for those who bring this to our lives. The basin was poured out to water a little tree and so the new year begins… Buon anno. ✨🌳 Zoe x
Zoë Boccabella 