Tonight is Epiphany Eve and in Italy many children will be waiting to see what they receive from La Befana, ‘the witch’ – sweets if they’ve been good, coal if they’ve been naughty. As I wrote in, Mezza Italiana, I was chosen as La Befana for my school play, being ‘an Italian kid’, and as you can see from the first photo, I wasn’t too thrilled about it! 😄 Although, I’d warmed up to the idea by the second photo when I got to climb through a window. (As you can also see, being summer, I’m already a bit burnt from swimming at the local pool!)
“In primary school, the class put on an end of year play. ‘This year we’re doing ‘Christmas Around the World’ to show how different countries celebrate Christmas,’ the teacher announced, eyes shining. As the teacher gave out the parts I chewed my nails praying that what I suspected was about to happen didn’t. ‘And in Italy…’ the teacher declared almost bursting with smiles, ‘…they don’t have Santa Claus, they have a woman.’ Comments and guffaws erupted from the class about it being strange. ‘She’s called Befana who is a bit like a witch bringing lumps of coal to the naughty children and sweets to the good. The part of Befana has been given to… Zoë.’ I didn’t know too many swearwords at that age but I remember the couple I did know popping into my mind, bloody shit.” …from Mezza Italiana.
The thing is, looking back, I’m thrilled that I got picked to play, La Befana and am so glad I did. I wish I could say to the little girl in the first photo, don’t worry, it’s all going to be okay, you don’t need to hide your migrant heritage, one day you’ll even write about it (though of course, I would’ve been horrified at the thought back then!) I guess epiphanies come in all shapes and forms and at different times. Buona Epifania! Auguri della Befana! 🖤 Zoë xx
Zoë Boccabella 