La Befana

If you're at Aviano, you've no doubt seen posters all over base for the Bella Befana Bazaar which will be held this weekend 30 Sep-02 Oct. The bazaar has vendors from several countries with goods like rugs and furniture, wine and oils, tapestries and paintings, and many other goodies. Outside of the hangar, squadrons will also set up booths selling any kind of junk food you can imagine. The famous fried Oreos will surely make an appearance!

Last year, I didn't bother to look into what the heck Bella Befana was. I mean, I went shopping at the bazaar of course. I knew bella meant beautiful, but I just thought that befana must be some other Italian word that I hadn't bothered to learn yet.

Then just before Christmas break, the kids came home with all kinds of information from their Host Nation teachers. Befana basically means witch. But as with all good things, there's a backstory.

Befana is a witch who visits on Epiphany Eve {5 Jan} to place toys and candy in the shoes of good little girls and boys around Italy. {Bad little boys and girls get coal, onions, or garlic in their shoes. Yuck!}

Why?

Source: http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/palma/2010/01/primo_di_la_befana.html

Well, there are a few variations on the legend, but many follow a similar line that Befana was asked by the Wise Men to accompany them to Bethlehem to welcome Baby Jesus. She was too busy with housework {hence the witch's broom} and chose not to go with them. Later, she regretted her decision and has been searching for the baby ever since.

Here in northern Italy, specifically in Friuli, the towns burn Epiphany fires to light the way for the Wise Men. The bonfires are called pan e vin {bread and wine}. The locals dress in Befana costumes and celebrate. Your whole town and your house will likely smell of firewood for a couple days after. I thought it was pretty awesome!

Epiphany is the end of a long holiday season in Italy and they celebrate it for all its worth!