Learn words and expressions about Epiphany in Italian
The last of the twelve days of Christmas, Epifania (Epiphany) is important to Christians as it celebrates the arrival of i Re Magi (three kings or wise men) to see the baby Jesus. In Italy, an important messa (mass) is celebrated on this day (January 6th), with plenty of canzoni (songs) and wise men costumes for the children.
Outside the church, the 6th January is also an important day for children as it’s when the befana arrives. The befana is a figure from folklore with pre-Christian roots and is usually depicted as a friendly witch (strega) or old woman (la vecchia) carrying around la scopa (a broom). She is a bringer of gifts for children - filling their calze (stockings) with caramelle (sweets) and cioccolatini (chocolates) if they have been bravi (good), or carbone (coal) if they have been cattivi (bad). You will often see black and white sweets in the shops for this reason.
The 6th January is a public holiday in Italy and is usually spent going out to watch the rogo (bonfire) created to burn the befana, symbolizing the end of the old year and the greeting of the new one. Many villages will have firework displays and even Miss Befana competitions!
Otherwise, for the more commercially-minded, the 6th January is usually the time when the saldi invernali (winter sales) start in Italy.
