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| Auguri e Buon Anno |
The Epiphany, an important holiday in Italy, is celebrated every year on January 6. It is a Christian celebration were an old witch, La Befana, travels to houses of children bringing little toys and treats to those who have been good and coal to those who have been bad the previous year. She puts these gifts inside stockings hung in the home.
As a way to celebrate the holiday Viterbo hosts the procession of the largest stocking in the world (La Calza della Befana) on January 5. The stocking is placed on top of a row of Fiat 500s, driven by Viterbese, and hoisted with long brooms that are held by women dressed as La Befana. The procession begins at Porta Romana, and proceeds through the medieval walled city until it reaches Porta Fiorentina. There is cheers from crowds, candy for the bambini, and an array of different honks coming from the fabulously decorated Fiats.
I was lucky enough to be in Viterbo to experience this traditional event. I had never seen anything like this. I particularly enjoyed the Fiats, as they are my favorite car, and the excitement exuding from the children as the stocking went down the street.
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| La Befana |
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| Lining them up |
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| Isn't that the cutest little 500 you've ever seen |
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| Here they come |
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| La Befana handing out treats to the children |
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| Now that's Italian! |
Ciao and thanks for reading
