An old tale handed down orally is bound to have many variations. In popular folklore, befana visits all the children of italy on the eve of the feast of the epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good, or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. This mini book works well for guided reading, small groups, literacy centers or whole group. Dec 17, 2014 but apart from santa, via francigena pilgrims walking in italy should be expecting additional christmas gifts from the old witch befana on epiphany day, 6th january. Here in le marche, in central italy the old tradition involve a simple or complex na. Aside from the legend of old befana, here are a few other book selections to help with a christmas in italy unit study. A popular belief is that her name derives from the feast of epiphany italian. This holiday book is a wonderful way to learn about christmas traditions in italy.
The book shares special songs and easytofollow christmas recipes and crafts that represent italy and vatican city. There is no santa claus in italy, my nana told me when i was a kid. According to legend, every year, on the night of january 5th, befana, will travel on her magic broom, to every house in italy. Befana is loved by italian children for obvious reasons and a very important part of christmas in italy. Every morning and every afternoon, old befana sweeps with her broom. In fact, her name comes from the italian word for the epiphany. But seeing the christmas star in the sky, she was drawn to find the reason for their quest and brought her own gifts for the baby jesus. Cookie recipe including coal cookies included on back page. My grandmothers family lived near sicily and they had some wonderful christmas traditions that we still carry on today. Now we are ready to learn about christmas in italy. Painting by james lewicki, from the golden book of christmas tales 1956. Part of my familys holiday customs originate from italy.
She brings candy, toys, books, and fruit to the children that were good for the year. The presents came from an old crone with a hairy mole on her chin who rode around on a broom. Talk about how children in italy wait until the final day of the holiday season to receive most of their gifts, which are found next to their beds. In many poorer parts of italy and in particular rural sicily, a stick in a stocking was placed instead of coal. They can use the articles as a reference source to help them complete the pages of the booklet. In this beloved classic picture book, tomie depaola retells and illustrates an italian christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely old befana and her endless search for the christ child. Published on dec, 2017 this is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. Especially when the day is january 6, the day of the epiphany. The name befana is a popular version of the greek term epiphany which was the festivity following christmas, commemorating the visit of the magi to the baby jesus on 6th january. Her roots, it seems, have to be sought in prechristian times, and developped well into a tradition made of folklore and religious elements. The legend of befana began thousands of years ago and is still practiced by italian. Italy holiday figurine international santa claus collection 4.
The exciting, eyecatching pictures and easytoread sentences in christmas in italy and vatican city help young readers learn about how people in italy and vatican city celebrate christmas. Christmas in italy will be a great addition to your book boxes in december. Here in le marche, in central italy the old tradition involve a simple or complex nativity scene and an old woman flying. She is, for lack of a better way to put it, a witchcomplete with warts, long nose, and, yes, a broomstick. According to the legend the three wise men on their journey were stopped by an old woman with a broom who asked them where they were going. I read this book to my students every december when i teach christmas around the world.
The feast of the epiphany, an important postchristmas date on the christian calendar, is celebrated on january 6 as a national holiday in italy. It is timeworn only by its many versions, and tomie depaolas retelling is unique in its resplendent settings and carefully researched detail. I had nightmares of how awful christmas must be over there. The feast of the epiphany, an important post christmas date on the christian calendar, is celebrated on january 6 as a national holiday in italy.
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. Italy perfect read the italy perfect blog for tips on things to do, eat, see, and do on your next trip to italy. The legend of befana began thousands of years ago and is still practiced by italian children and families to this day. Italy holiday figurine international santa claus collection. An italian night after christmas by sunday freyblanchard. However, there is even a more ancient and popular italian christmas tradition that has its origins traced. In italian folklore, befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout italy on. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola goodreads.
Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. One of my favorite winter traditions is the celebration of epiphany in italy 6th of january. A festivity dear to children and adults, it has ancient origins and a fantastic background story. Nana said she had to wait until january 6, the feast of the epiphany, to get gifts. Legend of old befana by tomie depaola book study and. It is an italianspanish coproduction directed by michele soavi. House cleaning witches on brooms, candy or coal in stockings, and all in the name of the biblical holiday of the epiphany. This is the last week we are in school for december. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. According to legend, every year, on the night of january 5th, befana, will travel on her magic broom, to. The christmas season in italy is one that begins with the novena eight days before christmas and lasts until the feast of the epiphany on january 6th. One day the magi came to her door in search of the baby jesus.
I read this book to my students every december when i teach. An italian night after christmas sunday freyblanchard, roger frey on. I usually have them do one page of the flip book at each center or station. Are your christmas traditions revolving around indoor trees real and plastic and a plump, bearded man sliding down chimneys. Befana is an interesting folk tradition in italy that keeps the children behaving and something to look forward to after the christmas and new year holidays. Here are some of our other favorite christmas traditions in italy that might turn you into a permanent winter vacation person. The italianlanguage christmas fantasy comedy film the legend of the christmas witch italian. The celebration of befana, who flies across the sky on twelfth night, leaving cakes and cookies for children as they sleep, is a beloved story in europe. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
In italy, the epiphany marks the official end of the christmas season, commemorating the day when the three wise men arrived at the manger bearing gifts. There are many activities for students to complete to show what they know. Christmas is that magical time when children from all around the world excitedly anticipate that arrival of santa claus and the special gifts they hope he will deliver on christmas eve. Learn about christmas traditions from italy and celebrate christmas around the world for kids with. On the eve of epiphany, the last day of christmas, when the three wise men arrived at bethlehem, the children would hang. So, i did a bit more research on the christmas witch. My roman friend, francesca, explained to me, on the night before january 6, the befana flies over the rooftops of rome on her broom, and brings gifts to the good children or coal for the bad ones. The christmas spirit is all a buzz and it is so fun. The italianspanish coproduction was directed by michele soavi and features a 500yearold befana who works as a schoolteacher by day. With epiphany coming up on january 6, weve already read the legend of old befana by tomie depaola several times in our home. In this version, befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping. But apart from santa, via francigena pilgrims walking in italy should be expecting additional christmas gifts from the old witch befana on epiphany day, 6th january. Befana the old flying witch christmas traditions in le marche area.