The Feast of the Epiphany in Calabria

An event dedicated to children but always loved by adults too? The Epiphany celebrations in Calabria.

An opportunity to rediscover ancient local traditions, legends handed down from one generation to the next and, why not, enjoy one last taste of traditional festive sweets.

Let's find out together how the Befana is celebrated in Calabria and where are the best places to encounter the timeless flying old woman.

The Epiphany celebration in Calabria, which has always been suspended between the sacred and the profane, represents the last tail end of the Christmas holidays, as well as the last moment of family vacation with the children before returning to their respective daily activities. While in the collective imagination the Befana is the old lady who, riding a flying broomstick, delivers gifts and sweets to children on the night between 5 and 6 January, the Befana in Calabria takes on a very special character, as she is linked to an ancient peasant legend. The night of the Calabrian Befana is a moment full of magic, during which it seems that animals can talk and judge their owners. If the owner has not behaved well during the year or has accidentally listened to their conversations, the animals curse him. How can the curse be averted? By speaking kindly to them on the eve of Epiphany and feeding them 13 different foods, just as the owner did with his guests on Christmas Eve.

The Epiphany table in Calabria, on the other hand, features a fish-based dinner with pasta ammuddicàta (with anchovies and breadcrumbs) and salt cod as the main dishes. Another Calabrian tradition linked to the Epiphany is the inevitable Strina della Befana. The Strenna originated as a propitiatory song and a good omen for the coming agricultural season. In Calabria, a group of musicians playing bagpipes, tambourines and pipìte, typical Calabrian instruments, go around the streets of the villages and from house to house. On this 'night of miracles', some elderly people even swear that they have seen oil flowing from fountains and wine flowing in rivers instead of water.

What to do during Epiphany in Calabria? If you are on holiday with children or want to treat your children to a meeting with the Befana, you are spoilt for choice. The numerous Christmas Villages in many towns across the region, from north to south, are ready to welcome children with traditional Befana Houses, where the friendly old lady has already replaced her bearded colleague and is ready to receive children's letters. Where are the must-see Christmas Villages? In Reggio Calabria, Gerace (the latter with the magic of the Enchanted Village), Tropea (VV), Borgia and Soverato (CZ).

Don't miss out on a taste of the Befana's traditional sweets, which you can buy in bakeries or make at home and put in the traditional Befana stocking as a gift for the little ones. Don't miss the various pìtte 'nchiùse (or 'mpigliàte, depending on the province), shortcrust pastries made with leftover dried and candied Christmas fruit; PGI Nougat of Bagnara, Calabrian PDO Liquorice sticks and figs stuffed with chocolate.