Overview
- The government has recently decided to reinstate January 6 as a public celebration after its abolition by Law 54 in 1977.
- Officials describe broad cross‑party backing, long-running civic campaigns, and children’s petitions as drivers of the move, echoing the refrain that the children’s festival is off-limits.
- Across the country, Epiphany closes the Christmas season with stockings filled with sweets, small gifts, or coal delivered by the Befana.
- The tradition blends ancient Roman rites associated with Diana with the Christian story of the Magi, and the term Epiphany denotes a manifestation in Greek.
- Events include Rome’s Piazza Navona fairs, Venice’s regata delle Befane, Grado’s Varvuole, and Alpine bonfires, while Spain observes the Cabalgada de los Reyes Magos.