How do you celebrate La Befana?
How is La Befana celebrated in Italy? The socks that the Befana fills up with treats or, for “bad kids”, with coal. For adults, La Befana is a chance to enjoy a day off work, usually at home with the family. It marks the end of an extended holiday season – one last moment of rest and relaxation before the year begins.
What is the special saying on La Befana?
col cappello alla romana… viva, viva, la Befana! Translated, the above poem reads “The Befana comes at night / In worn out shoes / Dressed like a Roman / Long live the Befana!” La Befana is often depicted as an old lady riding a broomstick, covered in soot and wearing a black shawl.
What is the meaning of La Befana?
In Italian folklore, La Befana is a witch who brings good children treats on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6. But if you were bad, look out – you may wake up to a lump of coal.
Do Italians still celebrate La Befana?
While in most other parts of the world, Christmas and New Year holidays have now come to an end, Italians are still celebrating, as every January 6, the Epiphany, is a national holiday to commemorate the visit of the Three Kings, i Re Magi, to the Baby Jesus.
Why do they burn La Befana?
The feast of this fairy-tale old lady, so much beloved and feared by Italian children, takes origin from the “old lady” which was burned in the squares to celebrate the end of the year, a symbol of time cycles always ending and beginning again.
How do you wish someone a happy La Befana?
— Un felice anno nuovo! / Buon Anno Nuovo – Happy New Year! — Buona Befana! – Happy Befana!
How old is Befana?
The figure of La Befana has been an Italian Christmas tradition, long before Babbo Natale (Santa Claus) made his way into the bel paese culture. Most sources say that the myth of La Befana goes back to the 13th century.
Why does La Befana come?
The legend of La Befana. Befana arrives after children have gone to bed on the eve of the Festa dell’Epifania (Feast of Epiphany), which is a celebration of the visit of the Three Kings or Magi to the newborn Christ child in Bethlehem.
What is Santa called in Italy?
Babbo Natale
Italian children call Santa Claus ‘Babbo Natale’. He is becoming more popular in Italy for gift giving on Christmas Day but La Befana, the old woman who delivers gifts on Epiphany on 6th January, is still more common.
What is Santa Claus called in Italy?
What gifts does La Befana bring?
What does La Befana bring – Treats or coal for nice or naughty children. Italians say that Befana is still searching for that baby and, on her quest, she leaves treats such as toys and candy or fruit for well-behaved children.
What do they eat on La Befana?
panettone
The arrival of la Befana is celebrated with traditional Italian foods such as panettone and marks the end of the long and festive holiday season in Italy.
