Best New Year Wishes and Two Gifts For You
My Dear Friends,
I am deeply grateful for your support and enthusiasm for my newsletter. Your curiosity and passion for stories inspire me every day. May the coming year bring you joy, adventure, and discoveries. I look forward to sharing more stories that resonate with you and spark your imagination.
As a good omen, I want to tell you about the most venerated sanctuary in Biella, where I live. This place has a history of several centuries. Governors of Piedmont and kings of Italy also often visited it—not just simple citizens and mountaineers. Many miracles happened thanks to the people's faith in protection of the Holy Virgin.
One day, the Black Virgin suddenly appeared on a big stone (black as a symbol of the black earth and the very hard work of the population). A church was built near the stone to honor and preserve the precious statue.
Believers have offered her many precious things, including the marble adoring the Renaissance cell and the crowns of gold. Perhaps the most precious (symbolically) offering is the veil created a few years ago from small pieces of cloth brought by believers worldwide. This veil is so long that it comes out of the cell and reaches the wall of the basilica.
There is now a very beautiful nativity scene in the basilica, which was donated by a Neapolitan master and set up by him. Since visiting a nativity scene brings good luck, I want to show it to you.
Every year, a nativity scene is also set up in front of the basilica's door. There is also a sheep with its lamb.
In addition to the old basilica and the new, very large, recently finished one, the complex includes royal apartments (a museum), a hostel or guesthouse— I don't know exactly— several restaurants, a herbalist's shop, and other shops.
And there's a fantastic view since it's 1160 m above sea level. And I'm not even talking about the pristine area and the hiking opportunities in the surrounding mountains. This is why it is such a beloved place by the people of Biella that the entire population spends weekends and holidays here.
To be honest, it is not only faith and the beauty of nature that attract everyone here. The local restaurants offer the famous Polenta Concia di Oropa, a delicacy of corn flour, local cheeses, and fragrant butter. I assure you that there is no better polenta concia anywhere else. The waiter will ask if you want more and pour it for you. And you won't have to pay for two dishes.
Special New Year’s Offer!
As a token of appreciation, I’m excited to present you with two delightful gifts:
Printable 2025 Calendar: Enjoy organizing your year with a beautifully designed calendar!
Limited-Time 10% Cashback Offer: For this week only, enjoy a 10% cashback when you purchase one or more paperback books from my Amazon store! This offer is valid until January 6, 2025. https://amzn.to/3DD5T2I
To claim your cashback:
Make your purchase on Amazon.
Send a screenshot of your receipt to my email address
After verification, I will send you your 10% cashback (PayPal only)!
Thank you for being an incredible reader. I hope these gifts brighten your New Year!
Warm wishes,
Liudmila
P.S.
If you prefer, I can send you a Print PDF file.