The Befana comes at night ...
Yes, because there is no better way than the epiphany to say "stop" to the Christmas holidays. After so many days spent in the joy of the Christmas spirit, it seems almost a consolation to end up eating sweets!
Although the epiphany was born as a pagan holiday in the wake of Christianity, it then took on a different message. But beyond what you represent, there are many children waiting for January 6 to meet the Befana. The figure of an old woman more similar to a witch in appearance. But from innate goodness, considering his world tour in the middle of the night to please all children. On the day of the epiphany the children will get up knowing that a sweet surprise awaits them. They will be able to eat some candy hoping not to find only coal!
The epiphany: ancient and modern version
All of Italy celebrates the epiphany in a similar way. The end of all the festivities that should leave a bad taste in the mouth will thus in the end have a sweeter aspect that brings everyone back to childhood.
The most classic way is to place the stockings prepared by grandmothers on the warm fireplaces and fill them with delicacies. Chocolates, candies, sugared almonds and maybe some coal. If previously the sock was placed near the fireplace, the slipper station will instead be near the kitchen stove.
Despite this, it is now unthinkable that the Befana no longer donates socks on the fireplace, but slippers in the kitchen! Maybe one day he will no longer arrive riding a broom, but on a motorcycle!
The bonfires of January 6th
Many cities today still carry an ancient tradition with them. To exorcise the end of the holidays, as a good omen for agriculture, and for the rest of the winter, many towns used to light big bonfires in the squares.
Even today, many use to light large disparate bonfires at different points in conjunction with the coldest days. This is why we are talking about coal. Given the amount of coal that formed, it was the most plausible thing to put in the socks of the less good children in the country and play an educational trick on them.
In reality it was the most practical gimmick that emerged from the bonfire in the square the night before, a sort of pagan rite that has never disappeared.
