DANBURY, CONN. — A traditional “Feast of Seven Fishes” will be served up just in time for the holidays at Western Connecticut State University.

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, Patrizia Farina, world languages instructor at the university, will give a talk about the history of the medieval tradition that began in Southern Italy and made its way to the holiday tables of many Italian-American families.

This will be the second John F. Azzariti Memorial Lecture, presented in honor of Azzariti by his wife, Katie Azzariti and WCSU. The lecture and dinner will be in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury. The event will be free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Donations will be accepted.

The seven fishes meal usually includes baccala (a type of cod), smelts, squid and eel.

“These were things that were available at the time the tradition began,” Farina said. “People were not rich and the fish was there, all you had to do was catch it.”

Farina, who is from Italy, will talk about not only the historical meaning of the tradition, but why the number seven is significant. In addition to a guest chef and wine pairings and tastings, a group of WCSU theatre arts students will sing traditional Christmas carols in Italian.

“It’s a fun night,” Farina said.

For more information, call (203) 829-6191. To make a reservation, send an email to 7fishes@comcast.net.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.