Epiphany (January 6) commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings (Re Magi) in Bethlehem. It is also the day of la Befana.
A pageant featuring the Three Kings, dressed in sumptuous clothing on horseback and accompanied by a procession in period costume, will take place in streets and squares of Pontassieve and Pelago (starting point: piazza Vittorio Emanuele II) at 2:30 pm on January 6. Once arrived at the church of San Francesco in Pelago, the Re Magi will present their offerings to the Christ child, and all children will receive a gift to the accompaniment of choral music.
La Befana is an aged, witch-like woman, who knows which children have been good or bad throughout the year. On the evening of January 5, Italian children hang out stockings in the hopes of them being filled with sweets. The naughty children can expect lumps of coal. Images of the Befana, with broom and black head scarf, can be seen around Tuscany.
The Three Kings and la Befana will make a joint appearance in Castelfiorentino, starting in Piazza Grandi at 3 pm and ending at the Nativity scene in Piazza del Popolo. Stockings will be distributed to children in Piazza Gramsci.
On the morning of the 6th, the Befana Train leaves Santa Maria Novella railway station bound for San Piero a Sieve in the Mugello valley. The steam locomotive, with the Befana on board, takes its passengers to this region north of Florence where they will be greeted by the “Dixie Train” marching band accompanying them to the municipal gymnasium. There, the party continues with refreshments, games and numerous surprises. Around lunchtime the train of merrymakers leaves for its return to Florence.
The coastal town of Marina di Pisa will welcome the Befana with a splash. Mirroring the New Year’s Day dives into the Arno in Florence, the yearly “Dive of Befana” takes place at 12 noon on the beach, preceded with signups in Piazza Sardegna at 11 am, followed by la Befana handing out candy to children at 11:45 am.
In Siena, the Befana lands in the Piazza del Campo at 5:30 pm and throws chocolates and sweets into the waiting crowd.
But it is Pistoia that pulls out all stops to celebrate the day of the Befana. After visiting the local mountain ski resorts, la Befana arrives in the Tuscan city, only to get no further than the 266 ft. high Cathedral bell tower due to a malfunctioning broomstick. The fire department arrives with trucks and ladders to help her descend, with the crowd cheering on their efforts. Once landed, she cheerfully hands out sweets to kids and parents (4 pm).
On the big day, the Befana will arrive on her flying broomstick on the cathedral bell tower (4 pm) and, with the help of the fire department, slides down to the square below, distributing candy to the waiting children. (rosanna cirigliano)
