BEFANA HAS A HOME

 

Epiphany (6th January) is traditionally the day when Italian children receive gifts from a kindly old witch known as the Befana (a corruption of the word Epifania). Over the last few decades, however, the Befana has gradually been overshadowed by the north European and American image of Santa Claus. The little town of Urbania in the Marche, situated between Urbino, Raphaels birthplace, and the Umbrian town of Perugia, decided to boost Befanas status by giving her a permanent home and proclaiming itself World Capital of the Befana. Throughout the year, children from all over Italy send letters with their requests to the following address;

La Befana, Casella postale aperta  61049, Urbania (PU).

Epiphany, known as the holiday that ushers out all the other festivities, (meaning the Christmas and New Year celebrations), is celebrated all over Italy but in Urbania it is obviously a maxi-event, lasting for several days with street parties, shows, fireworks and entertainment of all kinds. Urbania proudly claims two entries in the Guinness Book of Records: one for the biggest broomstick and stocking in the world  both indispensable Befana accessories, and one for the worlds longest scarf.

For information: www.la-befana.com  

Posted on 04 Jan 2009 by Editor
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