Celebrated this Sunday, Befana Day is celebrated in Italy when the wise men would have presented Jesus with gifts, putting an end to the Christmas festivities.
As Christmas comes to an end in Italy, houses are filled with stockings hung around the house, and children wait for the arrival of the witch Befana, who brings sweets to the little ones who have behaved well throughout the year.
Just like Santa Claus, the good old lady usually leaves gifts from house to house. Like so many legends, however, its origin remains uncertain. For many, Befana arises from the story of the wise men, who got lost during their trip to Bethlehem to give a gift to the baby Jesus and asked for help from a lady who did not want to accompany them.
This old lady would be the witch, who, repentant, decides to bring gifts to Jesus, but, without finding him, distributes sweets to every house she passes. Therefore, Befana Day is celebrated in Italy on January 6, when the wise men would have presented Jesus with gifts, putting an end to the Christmas festivities.
For many years, the exchange of Christmas gifts in Italy took place at the Befana Festival. To adapt to other countries, Italians began to give gifts to their loved ones at Christmas itself, but continued to celebrate the legend of the witch in January.
The date is so important in the country that markets sell socks of the most diverse types, often already filled with sweets, and most stores close on Old Lady's Day. Despite being a witch, Befana is good and much loved by the Italians, however, if the child's behavior was bad, she will leave a coal instead of sweets.
By Ansa Agency
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