Italy marks 6 January with a public vacation.
Rome’s festive season involves an finish on Saturday 6 January, a nationwide public vacation in Italy, with the arrival of La Befana in Piazza Navona within the metropolis’s historic centre.
The occasion, which begins at 10.30, will see the witch-like character “fly” into the piazza from the belltower of the church of S. Agnese in Agone, towards the backdrop of stay music carried out by the Italian hearth brigade band.
A firefighter dressed as La Befana will glide by way of the sky on a broomstick, shelling out sweets to kids on arrival within the piazza beneath.
With the assistance of Rome firefighters, La #Befana flies into Piazza Navona on her broomstick and fingers out sweets to kids. #befana2023 pic.twitter.com/xWfxije6Bl
— Wished in Rome (@wantedinrome) January 6, 2023
The family-friendly occasion marks the tip of the festive season in Rome and comes on the final day of the Christmas market in Piazza Navona.
Annually on 6 January, Italy celebrates the spiritual feast of the Epiphany, or the extra widespread folklore model of La Befana.
Within the Bible custom the Epiphany is when the Three Sensible Males arrive in Bethlehem bearing presents for Child Jesus on the twelfth day of Christmas.
The fairytale model nonetheless tells that the clever males invited a witch-like lady, or strega, to affix them on their journey to deliver presents to the Christ youngster.
#Befana magic in Piazza Navona #Rome pic.twitter.com/aeRVFYD1xE
— Wished in Rome (@wantedinrome) January 6, 2023
She refused initially, being too busy with housekeeping, however then tried to observe them. Unable to search out Jesus, the kind-hearted Befana gave the toys to different kids.
Regardless of the fashionable custom of Santa Claus, La Befana stays adored by Italian kids who dangle up their stockings in anticipation of presents on the evening between 5 and 6 January.
For particulars of Befana-related occasions in Rome this weekend see the metropolis web site.
