11:48 AM — La Befana & Italian Traditions

🇮🇹 Ms. Klose & Ms. Lerner’s FUN 4th Grade 🇮🇹

Intro into some fun Italian Holiday Traditions ✨

⏰ TIME: 11:48 AM — Italian Traditions (La Befana + Epiphany)

🎁 What is La Befana?

  • La Befana is part of Italy’s Epiphany celebration (January 6).
  • She visits on the night of January 5.
  • Good kids get treats; naughty kids may get “coal” (often candy coal!).
La Befana (photo) Stockings by a fireplace
Teacher line: “Who can guess who I am? Elf? Santa’s wife? … I’m La Befana!” 🧹

⭐ The Legend of La Befana

  • The Three Kings (Magi) invited her to travel with them.
  • She said no at first, then regretted it.
  • She searched and gave gifts to children along the way.
Quick kid question: “If La Befana visited you, what treat would you hope is in your stocking?” 🍭
Italy location map

🗺️ Urbania • Calabria • Sicily

  • Urbania (Marche region, central Italy) is often called the “Home of La Befana.”
  • Calabria (southern “toe” of Italy) has strong holiday traditions and music.
  • Sicily (the island at the bottom) celebrates with events, lights, and sweets.
Urbania (Barco Ducale) Calabria tradition: zampogna (Italian bagpipes)
Sicily: Palermo Palazzo dei Normanni
Southern Italy tie-in: “Vinny is Calabrian + Sicilian — so we keep our tree up until after Epiphany!” 🎄