Now we are ready to learn about christmas in italy. The italianspanish coproduction was directed by michele soavi and features a 500yearold befana who works as a schoolteacher by day. Befana the old flying witch christmas traditions in le marche area. One day the magi came to her door in search of the baby jesus. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The book shares special songs and easytofollow christmas recipes and crafts that represent italy and vatican city. I read this book to my students every december when i teach. Italy holiday figurine international santa claus collection. In this version, befana spent her days cleaning and sweeping. 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. However, there is even a more ancient and popular italian christmas tradition that has its origins traced. 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. 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. Painting by james lewicki, from the golden book of christmas tales 1956.
An italian night after christmas sunday freyblanchard, roger frey on. Learn about christmas traditions from italy and celebrate christmas around the world for kids with. Here in le marche, in central italy the old tradition involve a simple or complex na. 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. This is a delightful reading of the favorite italian christmas story about an eccentric old woman and her neverending search for the baby king. In fact, her name comes from the italian word for the epiphany. Here are some of our other favorite christmas traditions in italy that might turn you into a permanent winter vacation person. In italian folklore, befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout italy on. In italy, this holiday is almost as important to their predominately catholic population as christmas itself. 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.
Befana is loved by italian children for obvious reasons and a very important part of christmas in italy. 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. An italian night after christmas by sunday freyblanchard. To surprise the kids in the class they will be given coal candy. The italianlanguage christmas fantasy comedy film the legend of the christmas witch italian. I read this book to my students every december when i teach christmas around the world. She brings candy, toys, books, and fruit to the children that were good for the year. In many poorer parts of italy and in particular rural sicily, a stick in a stocking was placed instead of coal. With epiphany coming up on january 6, weve already read the legend of old befana by tomie depaola several times in our home.
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. There are many activities for students to complete to show what they know. According to legend, every year, on the night of january 5th, befana, will travel on her magic broom, to every house in italy. Italy holiday figurine international santa claus collection 4. However, there is even a more ancient and popular italian christmas tradition that has its origins traced back to the th century. Legend of old befana by tomie depaola book study and. It is an italianspanish coproduction directed by michele soavi. Italy perfect read the italy perfect blog for tips on things to do, eat, see, and do on your next trip to italy. His story also broadens the character of the eccentric old recluse of the small italian village.
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. Nana said she had to wait until january 6, the feast of the epiphany, to get gifts. Especially when the day is january 6, the day of the epiphany. This book is wonderfully written and has beautiful illustrations. 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. 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. 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. There is no santa claus in italy, my nana told me when i was a kid. Cookie recipe including coal cookies included on back page. They can use the articles as a reference source to help them complete the pages of the booklet. The feast of the epiphany, an important postchristmas date on the christian calendar, is celebrated on january 6 as a national holiday in italy. The legend of befana began thousands of years ago and is still practiced by italian.
Christmas in italy will be a great addition to your book boxes in december. 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 children and families to this day. Are your christmas traditions revolving around indoor trees real and plastic and a plump, bearded man sliding down chimneys. The holiday also marks the end of christmas and new years festivities in italy, after which children go back to school, adults go. 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. This mini book works well for guided reading, small groups, literacy centers or whole group. 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. According to legend, every year, on the night of january 5th, befana, will travel on her magic broom, to. So, i did a bit more research on the christmas witch. I had nightmares of how awful christmas must be over there. 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 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.
Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. My grandmothers family lived near sicily and they had some wonderful christmas traditions that we still carry on today. I usually have them do one page of the flip book at each center or station. House cleaning witches on brooms, candy or coal in stockings, and all in the name of the biblical holiday of the epiphany. It is timeworn only by its many versions, and tomie depaolas retelling is unique in its resplendent settings and carefully researched detail. A festivity dear to children and adults, it has ancient origins and a fantastic background story.
An old tale handed down orally is bound to have many variations. 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. 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. Part of my familys holiday customs originate from 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. This is the last week we are in school for december. The legend of old befana by tomie depaola goodreads. Every morning and every afternoon, old befana sweeps with her broom. One of my favorite winter traditions is the celebration of epiphany in italy 6th of january. This holiday book is a wonderful way to learn about christmas traditions in italy. The christmas spirit is all a buzz and it is so fun.
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