Thursday 5 January 2012

Buon Anno Nuovo!

Buona sera a tutti! I would like to wish a very happy new year to all of my amici - I hope that you have had a wonderful Christmas together with your family and friends......wherever in the world you may be!



2011 was a very exciting year for Sicilian Connections. After years of planning and dreaming, www.sicilianconnections.com finally became a reality and I was able, not only to share my own knowledge, thoughts and visions of Sicily, but also to learn about Italian communities around the world. I would like to say a heartfelt 'grazie mille' to everybody who has been involved in the growth of Sicilian Connections - I am really looking forward to seeing what this next year brings .........and also to seeing more of your wonderful photos and captivating stories :-)

I'm sure that many of you have now taken down your Christmas tree and decorations, however in Italy it is tradition to wait for the arrival of 'La Befana' on the 6th January. Folklore tells how an old woman ('La Befana') travels across Italy on a broomstick throughout the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany delivering toys to children that have been good and pieces of coal to those that have not.



This poem is dedicated to the Befana -

La Befana vien di notte
Con le scarpe tutte rotte

Col vestito alla romana
Viva, Viva La Befana!

English translation -

The Befana comes by night
With her shoes all tattered and torn

She comes dressed in the Roman way
Long life to the Befana!

I would like to leave you with this wonderful video taken in Epcot, Disney World in Florida of 'La Befana' telling her enchanting story :-) Enjoy!



A presto :-)

Debra
Sicilian Connections
www.sicilianconnections.com