The Befana awaits Children in MonteneroJust when you think the holidays have come to an end, Christmas a distant memory and New Year's celebrations over and done with, Epiphany comes along, another bank holiday in Italy. Falling on the 6th January, Epiphany marks the day when the three Wise Men (the Magi) brought gifts to the infant Jesus and traditionally closes the Christmas period. But apart from being a religious holiday, the night before Epiphany - twelfth night - is better known to most Italian children as the night when the friendly witch, the Befana arrives on her broomstick bringing sweets and chocolate to all those children who have been good, and coal to those who haven't! Socks are left out for the Befana to fill with the appropriate gift.
