Page 21 - Italian-American Herald - December 2022

FOLKLORE
“Viene La Befana”
By Giovanni Pascoli
Viene, viene la Befana
Vien dai monti a notte fonda Come è stanca! la circonda Neve e gelo e tramontana! Viene, viene la Befana
Here comes, here comes the Befana
She comes from the mountains in the deep of the night
Look how tired she is! All wrapped up In snow and frost and the north wind! Here comes, here comes the Befana!
Kensington Market Festival of Lights Parade that appears in Toronto and Ontario Canada, there is a float full of La Befanas who sing songs, dance, and toss out candies and treats to young children in the crowds. La Befana may have originated in Italy, but as Italians traveled and immigrated elsewhere the tradition carried on and spread among other countries. Many Italian grandmothers all over the world pass this tradition on to their grandchildren and on the Epiphany Eve will fill up a sock/ stocking with goodies and treats.
The Epiphany Eve when La Bafana makes her appearance was a mean-
ingful celebration for families in the past and this celebration continues to live
on through families today even in other places than Italy. I will be celebrating the Epiphany with my family this year with La Befana. My family and I hope to make
La Befana-themed cookies and leave her a great Frascati wine and most importantly keep the tradition going! As the Italians would say on The Epiphany Eve, “Lungo viva La Befana!” (Long live La Befana).
Poems about La Befana are read
and sung throughout Italy. The Italian poet, Giovanni Pascoli, wrote poems about La Befana that became very famous. His work
instantly became popular right after its release. He won many poetry prizes and awards in the 19th century. His work was widely recognized in Italy and a literature award called the Pascoli Prize was established on his 50th death anniversary to honor him. IAH
Angelina Cappelli is an eighth-grader in Chester County, Pa., with four Italian immigrant grand- parents from Casal Velino and Avelino in Campagna, Teramo in Abruzzo and Ascoli Piceno in Marche.
ITALIAN-AMERICAN HERALD
DECEMBER2022 | ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM 21
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