Burning the old year

On the 6th of January we celebrate the Epiphany, or the arrival of the three Kings to Betlemme. However the main character representing this holiday is La Befana, an old witch flying on a broom. In several areas of the country, especially in the Veneto region, on the evening of the Epiphany the Befana gets burned, together with all the evils of the year just finished. This is the main square in Verona where several hundreds people cheered at the fire

[Catherine Otley]

Very dramatic! Love it.

[Marloes]

How very interesting! So we Dutch believe in Sinterklaas and you, Italians, in a witch... mmm, what does this tell us about us? ;-) no, I’m just making fun. Both are lovely traditiond that are binding people together!
Fav

[Caterina]

What is Sinterklaas? Santa Claus? We also have Babbo Natale, with his big belly and red dress. But we also have the witch (a good witch) Different traditions, all occasions to celebrate! @stimuloog

[carol white]

A lovely nighttime capture. Fav!! 😀

[*lynn]

beautiful night shot and such an interesting tradition

[Caterina]

@lynnz @carolmw thank you for your comments

[Ilaria Eugeal Tomasini]

Yesterday we were there too! :) Nice shot.

[M. Brutus]

Interesting custom and photo. Thanks for chronicling it and describing it to all of us. Fav