The Epiphany - La festa dell'Epifania

Today is unique in many parts of the world, including Italy, where is celebrated Befana's day. It's a public holiday that ends the Christmas period. In this time events are organized in many cities, and the most important happens in Rome at Piazza Navona with numerous temporary stalls where you can buy local delicacies, figures of Befana or gift socks. The program is also full of  music and theater and the biggest attraction is the living nativity scene. Is also famous the festival in Urbania, which lasts from 2 to 6 January. This year, due to the epidemic, all events were canceled. Of course, you can take part in some of the attractions, like performances, online. But for Italians it's a sad time without a magical  and happy atmosphere.

    The Epiphany at Piazza Navona  (source: https://www.tgtourism.tv/2017/11/piazza-navona-pubblicate-le-graduatorie-la-festa-della-befana-50553/

Who is Befana and what is her story?

Befana is a good witch who come down the chimneys in the night of January 5-6 and gives a gifts to children in their socks. In the houses, are wating for her wine or fruit as a snack. She is portrayed as an old and ugly woman. He flies on a broom, he wears a scarf on his head and a large sack on back.

According to the legend, during a trip to Bethlehem, the Magi met Befana and asked her where the Baby Jesus might be. She didn't know the answer, but offered them hospitality because she was knwon as the perfect hostess. The Three Kings told woman about Jesus' birth and invited her to join them, but she refused. Later, she regretted this decision and followed them, but didn't find neither the Magi nor the Christ Child. To this day he wanders around the world and leaving presents in houses with the child, in case Jesus was there.