11294 One of a trillion positive things about la bella Italia

Still stinging from the comment that I only ever post negative comments about this wonderful country, here's something seriously good: Christmas goes on longer!
Friends in London this morning all talking about the anti-climax now it's all over but we've still got Epifania to look forward to.
And if you happen to be in this part of the country, we not only have a living nativity in the cathedral crypt, but at 16.30 hrs on the 6th, the three kings are going to be riding up the Corso on horses to join them.

Category
General chat about Italy

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/01/2009 - 09:03

Violetta tell your Italian friends in London there's The Italian Church where they continue to celebrate Christmas - [url=http://www.italianchurch.org.uk/]St. Peter's Italian Church London UK[/url]

I thought I had added there is an Epiphany service on the 6th January.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 01/01/2009 - 12:07

And also, La Befana is coming with presents during the night of the 5th-6th January. For those who do not know her, in Italy she is as popular as Santa Claus.... and more traditional:
[url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Befana]La Befana - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 04:07

Yes, dear old Befana, I think she really captures childrens' imaginations in a way that not even Santa can. I bought a Befana toy for our neighbours' five year old last year and she was squealed like mad with a mixture of fear and delight as I wiggled the old woman in her face.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 01/02/2009 - 04:59

[quote=Violetta;106882]Yes, dear old Befana, I think she really captures childrens' imaginations in a way that not even Santa can. I bought a Befana toy for our neighbours' five year old last year and she was squealed like mad with a mixture of fear and delight as I wiggled the old woman in her face.[/quote]

Yeah - I wonder how many of the 'tinies' are scared that they will get their 'lump of coal' because they've ben naughty. That 'threat' (?) always worked wonders (all-be-it transitory ones) on my son when he was little.

[IMG]http://www.madaboutitaly.com/befanaItaly.dk.jpeg[/IMG]

To watch his face, when he opened 'the gift' from the Befana , was a total joy. You could see the thought going through his mind "Is it coal this time?" . He did get a lumps of coal once - it was burned suger!!! :laughs: