The feast of the epiphany, an important postchristmas date on the christian calendar, is celebrated on january 6 as a national holiday in italy. They explained they were seeking a newborn childa wondrous child. The legend is that the magi stopped along their long journey, knocking on the door of an old woman to ask directions to bethlehem and to rest. For sweeping and baking all day long, and singing lullabies to no one at all. The christmas season in italy is one that begins with the novena eight days before christmas and lasts until the feast of the epiphany on january 6th. It is timeworn only by its many versions, and tomie depaolas retelling is unique in its resplendent settings and carefully researched detail. One night she receives a visit from three wisemen who are following a. Infine, consigliamo agli adulti due interessanti letture sulla befana. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola goodreads. It was a cold night in luisas little italian village. Another version is given in a poem by giovanni pascoli. An old tale handed down orally is bound to have many variations. About 30,000 to 50,000 people attend the festivities. I also love the magical quality of the christmas witch as it hearkens back to my favorite holiday, halloween.
Italian anthropologists claudia and luigi manciocco, in their book una casa senza porte a house without doors trace befanas origins. Scopa che viene usata come arma contundente, sulle teste di quei bambini sorpresi a spiarla mentre lei sta riempiendo le calze appese al camino di dolciumi o di carbone, a seconda che siano stati buoni o cattivi. They asked her for directions as they had seen his star in the sky, but. Our carefully selected books, dvds, cds, educational toys, and more, guarantee a friendly introduction to the language and culture of italy. Italy is a historically catholic culture with many holidays, traditions and beliefs coming from biblical and religious roots. I read this book to my students every december when i teach christmas around the world. Why do italian children hang up a stocking on the eve of the epiphany. At eataly, we are celebrating her arrival with panettone and pandoro, the traditional italian holiday cakes, and other sweet treats. His story also broadens the character of the eccentric old recluse of the small italian village. Maccagno, per lepifania festa ricca di iniziative per i. The befana is celebrated throughout all of italy, and has become a national icon.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or. She does this on the night of the epiphany on january 5th. In italian folklore, befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout italy on. The befana comes by night with her shoes all tattered and torn she comes dressed in the roman way long live the befana. In the regions of the marches, umbria and latium, her figure is associated with the papal states, where the epiphany held the most importance. Befana the italian christmas witch december 2017 danielle selvaggio. They celebrate many more national holidays from the christian religion than some other countries and therefore have more traditions for. For the small, little children she leaves a lot of little chocolates, for the bad little children, she leaves ashes and coal. The story of befana, the italian santa claus befana, eleonara gianinetto, flikr italy is a historically catholic culture with many holidays, traditions and beliefs coming from biblical and religious roots. I love the story of the three kings, the biblical tiein to the giving of gifts in a non santaheavy way.
Epiphany is the religious observation following christmas of the arrival of the three magi to present their precious gifts to the baby jesus. I think it is fun to have another cookie to bake after the rush of christmas. Jan 08, 2017 befana che brucia verona epifania 2017 sg video. With epiphany coming up on january 6, weve already read the legend of old befana by tomie depaola several times in our home. The christmas season in italy is one that begins with the novena eight days before christmas and lasts until the feast of the epiphany. To forget her loneliness, she busied herself with many household tasks. Every year there is a big festival held to celebrate the holiday. Snow covered the mountaintops like icing on christmas cakes. Befana article about befana by the free dictionary. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king.
Here is the second one is by contessa lara, in italian. Translation the befana comes at night in wornout shoes. The legend tells that the three kings, on the night between the 5th and 6th of january, wanted to visit baby jesus. Thats when the 3 wise men are said to have given their gifts to jesus. This article is written by contributing editor tony traficante. I like to bake these on the eve of epiphany and eat them the next day, when i take the christmas. The celebration of befana, who flies across the sky on twelfth night, leaving cakes and cookies for children as they sleep, is a beloved story in europe. This book is wonderfully written and has beautiful illustrations. The holiday also marks the end of christmas and new years festivities in italy, after which children go back to school, adults go back to work.