La Befana Story

La Befana is a nice old woman who flies on her broom stick every year on the night between the 5th and 6th of January, which is the Epiphany day, to bring presents to children. That is why she carries a big bag on her back full of sweets, which la Befana will use to fill the stockings kids have left by their chimney. The kids who have behaved in the past year, will find sweets and chocolates in their stocking on the day of the Epiphany. Those who didn't behave will also get a few lumps of coal. However, everyone loves La Befana. Some people imagine La Befana with white hair, others with black hair but, a part from that, everybody agrees she has a long crooked nose, broken shoes and a patched dress.

La Befana Song

The Befana comes by night

With her shoes all tattered and torn

She comes dressed in the roman way

Long live the Befana!