The Feast of the Befana
The new year started a few days ago and the Befana festival is almost upon us.It has become an all-Italian tradition, of exquisitely rural origin, which represents the transition from the old year to the new year. The term "Befana" derives from the corruption of the Greek term epifáneia or manifestation.
According to tradition, the Befana was a symbol of the year just past; the gifts that the old lady brought, represented auspicious symbols for the year that was to begin.
In the Christian tradition, the story of the befana is closely linked to that of the Magi.
Legend has it that on a very cold winter night Baldassare, Gasparre and Melchiorre, on the long journey to get to Bethlehem from the Child Jesus, unable to find the way, asked an old lady for information who showed them the way.
The Three Kings then invited the woman to join them, but despite her insistence the old lady refused.
Once the Three Kings were gone, she regretted not following them and so she packed a sack full of sweets and started looking for them, but to no avail.
The old lady, therefore, began to knock on every door, giving each child she met some sweets, in the hope that one of them was just Baby Jesus.
The feast of the Befana in Rimini
Between theatrical performances, tasty aperitifs and street markets, the Epiphany weekend in Rimini is to be experienced.- The port and Viale Vespucci: Two of the favorite points of interest from Rimini, the port area and the main street of the shops and bars of Marina Centro, where you can find entertainment for children, sweets and Christmas delicacies;
- Christmas lights: Until the Epiphany there will still be lights in Corso d'Augusto. Between shops and a carefree air you can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the parties in Rimini;
- Stroll along the seafront of the Rimini Riviera: Epiphany in Rimini is beautiful if passed by the sea. You can stroll along the new Rimini seafront, completely pedestrianized, from which you can also enjoy the sea.