Epiphany

[gifhetalia]

Dear friends, tomorrow in Italy is holiday, Epiphany. Catholic Church commemorates the three Magi's visit to Betlem, and children wait for the "Befana", an old fairy who rides a besom, brings toys and sweets, and puts them in a stocking. Is this a tradition in your countries, too?

Comments

[legolastariel]

A wicked witch on a broom bringing presents?! Oh, that's cute. No, it's no tradition here in Germany. We do have Epiphany here though, too, and children dressed up as the three Magis go from door to door of the catholic homes and sing songs. They do get either sweets or money for that - I'm not sure which, since I'm not catholic, but I'm sort of glad that we don't celebrate that day the way they do in Italy. Presents and sweets AGAIN!?
:-)

Well, enjoy the holiday then!

endless christmas

[gifhetalia]

Yep... Presents and sweets, AGAIN. And, again, leaving in the kitchen biscuits and milk for the old lady, and preparing the stocking while the sweet child is asleep (which usually happens very late, because she's excited)... It's not exactly a religious matter, it's more a folkloristic tradition.
I know children like all this, but... It's the third time this year! (My daughter also receives presents from Saint Lucy, on Dec. 13. It's a tradition of the town she was born in.)

Re: endless christmas

[legolastariel]

This is really getting out of hand, isn't it? Around here children get presents and sweets on Dec. 6th - Saint Nicolaus Day and then Christmas and in mid November it is Saint Martin's Day where children get sweets for going from door to door singing songs. The closets are loaded with chocolates and I've grown pretty sick of that stuff. I for one started eating nothing but salad and fruits a few days ago and it's a nice change compared of all the cookies and candy stuff before. :-) I wish my daughter would see it that way, too. LoL

So, have fun with your little one on yet another holiday today.

Re: endless christmas

[gifhetalia]

^^ I can see you have your load of troubles around there, too... But I'm happy it's over now!
Salad and fruits seem really a good idea, by now, at least for the grown-ups.

Re: ¡¡Rosca de Reyes!!!

[gifhetalia]

^^ It looks delicious.... BUT NO! Only salad and fruits from now on (see Legolastariel comment).
Well, er, maybe just a little piece, only to taste it...^____^
How interesting, seems that even if we live in opposite parts of the world, there are many similar customs in our countries...
But tell me, the Magi themselves leave the presents? Do they come with the camels and all?

[delos13]

No such tradition in Canada, I think. Very interesting.

[gifhetalia]

I think it was our peculiar version of Halloween, before it was known and celebrated here too.

[jun_yumemakura]

I don't think it is not a tradition of either Japan or US.
It's very interesting! Sounds like Halloween and Christmas all in one :)

[gifhetalia]

Yes, I think it is! It seems that, since we usually don't like dark atmospheres(^^), we transformed the terrible Celtic witch into a ridicule, ugly old granny.

Befana

[anonymous]

In realtà la Befana sono io!
Auguri
Alias

Lotta tra sedicenti Befane

[gifhetalia]

Carissima anonima Alias, non millantare crediti rubandomi la scena! ^_^ La vera Befana sono io e nessun'altra.
P.S. Convincere Hephaistion a mettersi nella calza non è stato facile. Adduceva risibili ragioni di dignità e status. Ho dovuto promettergli che avrei messo Bagoa nella calza di Cassandro. Ma per farti arrivare su LJ, ne valeva la pena... ^_^ Benvenuta!