She is kind, but you better not want to see her. While you can meet Three Kings in the czech streets at the beginning of the year, in Italy a good witch Befana flies. Its name is derived from the word epiphany, which is the feast of the Epiphany, which falls on January 6. But beware - unlike the Three Kings, it is not advisable to meet Befan. It is said that when someone sees Befan, he gets hit by a broom because he does not want to be seen. Whether this is true or whether parents came up with it for their children to keep them in bed even on the night when Befana flies is still not clear.
If you are in Italy, prepare stockings with your children
Tradition says that Befana is a very old woman who flies on her worn broom and at night between January 5 and 6 she visits the children and fills them with a fireplace or a stocking hanging by the window. Children who have behaved well over the past year receive sweets, candies, dried fruit, or small toys. On the contrary, children who were angry in the past year receive charcoal, onions or garlic from Befana, or they find their stocking completely empty.
In families with children, something small is prepared for Befana for refreshments, usually a glass of wine and local delicacies, such as ham or salami.
Befana as the mother of all children
According to Christian legend, three sages came to Befana a few days before the birth of Baby Jesus. They asked Befana for advice where they can follow the star they saw in the sky. But Befana did not know, so she did not advise the sages. But because she was considered the best housekeeper in the village with the most pleasant home, she at least offered the sages the beds to sleep. In the morning, the three sages invited her to join them on their way to Jesus, but Befana refused because she was too busy with housework. Later, however, Befana was overcome with remorse and tried to find three more sages and Santa. However, she did not succeed that night, so it is said that Befana flies with a bag of gifts so far and is still looking for a little messiah. Although she has not been successful in the search so far, she leaves a good gift to all good children. She does so with the message that little Jesus can be found in each of them.
Another legend says that Befana was an ordinary woman with a child she loved very much. However, her child died and Befana was very sad. When she heard the news of Jesus' birth, she went to him and planned to deceive people that she was his mother. When she met Jesus, she gave him gifts that made him happy. In return, little Jesus allegedly gave Befana a gift: she became the mother of all small children in Italy.
Urbania, home of Befany
Befana is known throughout Italy and has become a bit of a national icon. Its official home is considered to be the town of Urbania in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, where the annual festival takes place from 2 to 6 January. Around 50,000 people take part in the festivities. The historic center is decorated with hundreds and hundreds of colorful stockings, you can see even the longest in the world. And of course you will also meet hundreds of good witches in the city. Some come off the historic tower, others dance, juggle, but all try to please and cheer the children present
