In Italy it is tradition to celebrate the so called "Befana" on the 6th of January, the Ephifany day which is considered the last day of the Christmas holiday where everyone takes the Christmas tree down on that day. We have a saying " L'Epifania che ogni festa si porta via" which it means “The Epiphany which takes away all festivity”.
La Befana is a nice old woman (not a very good looking one though) who flies on her broom stick every year on the night between the 5th and 6th of January, to bring presents to the children. That is why she carries a big bag on her back full of sweets, so that la Befana will be able to fill the stockings that the kids will leave by their chimney. The kids who have been good during the year, will have sweets and chocolates in their stocking. Those who have not behavied will also get a little surprise such as a few lumps of coal. Some people imagine La Befana with white hair, some with dark hair but, a part from that, everybody agrees on the fact that she has a long long crooked nose, broken shoes and a patched dress!!!!!
This is the befana song:
The Befana comes by night
With her shoes tattered & torn
With a very patched dress
Long live the Befana!
It is now time for children to go back to school and for the adults to go back to work.... so see you next year Befana!!!!!
