And gone…
Yesterday was the Epiphany and the night before is when the Befana comes.
In Italy, the festival of Epiphany is the big holiday. Christmas is an American newcomer…
In fact, the year has actually only just begun today: in Italy the big holiday is the Epiphany, which was yesterday. It’s bigger than Christmas. This is when Italian kids either get presents or a lump of coal. The emblematic person is a witch.
The legend is that the magi asked her for directions to Jesus. She didn’t know but she put them up for the night. The next day, they asked if she wanted to join them in their search for the baby Jesus. She declined but later changed her mind. So her story is that she’s forever flying around looking for the baby Jesus. On the Eve of Epiphany, she visits all children to see if they are Jesus. This is a very child-focused holiday. Lots of parades and music the night before. Very fun…
Today all the decorations come down. Well, lots anyhow. People go back to work, kids to school, stores reopen.
I went for a bike ride the afternoon of January 5 and stumbled across these stalls selling figures of la Befana and stockings and stuff…
And now the decorations and creche figures are coming down… Back into storage until next Christmas season.
Wonderful Befana dolls! xoxo MSRH