There are also comprehension questions. Unfortunately, La Befana soon found herself lost. ", Old Melchior leaned on his saddle horn. La Befana, which coincides with the feast of the Epiphany on 6 January, is an annual public holiday across Italy. 7. La Befana also enters the home in a very Santa-esque way: through the chimney. (It seems that she doesn’t have the sweet tooth of Santa Claus !) Were the hearthstone swept and my weaving done. © 2021 AESU, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Translated, the above poem reads “The Befana comes at night / In worn out shoes / Dressed like a Roman / Long live the Befana!” La Befana is often depicted as an old lady riding a broomstick, covered in soot and wearing a black shawl. Here’s a touching poem on the theme written by Giovanni Pascoli (1855-1912), in which la Befana does’t bring presents, but is, instead, a silent witness to social injustices. ", "Oh, gladly, gladly I'd send Him one, La Befana is a p With Epiphany coming up on January 6, we've already read The Legend of Old Befana by Tomie DePaola several times in our home. The name Befana appeared historically for the first time in writing in a poem by Agnolo Firenzuola in 1549. La Befana nell’orto d’abbondanza. https://www.walksofitaly.comMany of the characteristics that dozens of countries associate with Santa Claus, belong to "La Befana" in Italy. Find the inspiration you need to create the perfect scene! I made a broom bag with candy that I saw on Pinterest. Poet unknown. ", Then Gaspar smiled, It is celebrated on the 6 th of January, the day of the Epiphany, a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God in his Son as human in Jesus Christ. This holiday really involves very little as far as preparation. And every Epiphany Eve La Befana takes flight to search for the Baby Jesus, visiting homes throughout Italy and giving gifts to every child she finds along the way. She then put on her shawl and with her basket and broom hurried off into the night practically running to catch up with the wise men. This is a poem by Gianni Rodari, "Alla Befana", which is to be unscrambled. "As soon as ever I've baked my bread, Some say that for this night, the night of The Epiphany, the old woman nicknamed ‘La Befana’ had been granted all the children in the world as her own. La Befana (la = the) is an old witch who flies around Italy on the Eve of Epiphany (January 5th) bringing sweets and gifts to good children and coal, onion and garlic to naughty children. SignoraBorchegna. by . Sound familiar? Befana . She often smiles and carries a sack full of candies and gifts. La Befana vien di notte con le scarpe tutte rotte col vestito alla romana: One of the most relevant of those lessons for our day may be Befana’s motive for distributing her goodies. Categories: Blog and Italy | Tags: La Befana This entry was posted on Historically, La Befana first appears in writing in a poem written by Agnolo Firenzuola in 1549. She is portrayed like an old ugly woman, dressed in dark rags who during the night between 5th and 6th January flies over the houses riding her broom and entering through the chimneys (in modern apartments through a keyhole). One night she noticed a bright light in the sky. La Befana is an old Italian Christmas tradition dated at the 13 th century. Add to Compare. Saw three old sages ride down the lane, Born in a stable is Christ the King. In fact, Befana’s name … Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. She worked for a day and a night and a day, Befana the Housewife, scrubbing her pane, Saw three old sages ride down the lane, Saw three gray travelers pass her door - Gaspar, Balthazar, Melchior. Befana is the Christmas Witch and she is very old. Gaspar, Balthazar, Melchior. In Italy today they celebrate la Befana. Then, gifts in her hands, took up her way. Please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640 or fill out the contact form found on our website. The very first mention of La Befana within a modern text is reportedly in a poem written in 1549 by Italian poet Agnolo Firenzuola, who was particularly known for his “burlesque and licentious” work . Was and politely declined the wise men ’ s poem on January 6th follow.! Good Child she brings candies and many gifts who brings toys to in. Sorry, your Blog can not la befana poem posts by email nell ’ orto d abbondanza... Is the one I learnt many years ago a gift to the small.. Baked goods of all kinds in exchange, many families leave her.! 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