The weekend, which this year embraces the last holiday of the Christmas season, is confirmed to be packed with attractions and events to celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings and the acrobatic flight of the Epiphany.
Opening the festivities on the evening of Friday, Jan. 5, is the traditional serenade of the “Chezette” in Scanno (AQ), the penultimate of five serenades sung on the anniversaries of the year to the betrothed. Starting at 9:30 p.m., musicians and singers in historical costumes will animate the center, reciting nursery rhymes in dialect and asking for gifts to be placed in the characteristic stocking.
Everywhere between Lazio and Abruzzo will feature traditional markets, illuminations, nativity scenes, sporting and gastronomic events. Not to be missed is the Befana Festival in Rome ‘s Piazza Navona, which will culminate on Jan. 6 with the arrival of the Befana herself in the square. It will be an opportunity to stroll through the heart of the capital and admire the illuminations and stores on Via del Corso and Via del Babuino, Rome’s big Christmas tree, this year placed in Piazza del Popolo, or the special tree set up on the Capitol to celebrate 75 years of the Constitution.
For sportsmen, in the setting of the Aqueducts Park, the marathon “Run for the Epiphany” of over 10 km returns for the 30th edition, while for a less demanding route it will be possible to take part in the running event “Run of the Toy” from the Terrace of the Pincio. Not far from the Pincio will also still be possible to immerse oneself in the fairy-tale atmosphere of the Christmas World, the Christmas village with live performances and more than 300 figures set up in Villa Borghese.
Still on the sporting theme, in Celano (AQ) on January 7 will be held the Urban Trail of the Epiphany through the Historic Trail, passing the picturesque waterfall known as “Casca l’acqua,” for a total of 9 kilometers. While in the enchanting setting of Rocca Calascio (AQ) the Bruciapanettoni includes a trekking route of nearly two hours. Snowshoeing and nature walks also take place in the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the Monti Simbruini Regional Park, the Gran Sasso National Park and the Maiella National Park.
In L’Aquila , in addition to the great Epiphany Fair, now in its 74th year, the Befana del Vigile urbano at Quattro Cantoni, which, like the Befana Tricolore in the Via Roma shopping center, will collect toys and other gifts for the less fortunate. Epiphany in solidarity also in Teramo with the Befana Popolare, thanks to the volunteers of the Casa del Popolo who will collect games, sweets and books for the girls and children guests of the local shelters. Solidarity is married to music, with the “grand concert of Epiphany and solidarity,” staged Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Fenaroli Theater in Lanciano (CH), or with the Ancestral Chamber Music Orchestra in Alanno (PE).
Between Saturday, Jan. 6 and Sunday, Jan. 7, the medieval village of Roccascalegna (CH), in the shadow of its spectacular overhanging castle, will be the stage for a two-day event dedicated to the Epiphany, including performances and live music, craft and food stands. Polenta with karaoke and theatrical performances also at Pratola Peligna (AQ). Among the living nativity scenes, in addition to the impressive display in Rivisondoli (AQ), now in its seventy-third edition, there will be time until Sunday 7 to visit the one in Greccio, on the outskirts of Rieti, which has been celebrating the first nativity scene desired by St. Francis exactly eight hundred years ago (1223) at the historic site since 1972.
On Jan. 6, there will be no shortage of spectacular Befane flights to delight the little ones. In Tivoli (RM) the Befana will begin her descent from the scenic Rocca Pia to glide into the Bleso Amphitheater. In the magnificent historic center of Atri (TE) numerous witches will descend from the tower of the Ducal Palace to distribute stockings filled with sweets and surprises. In Pizzoli (AQ) the Befana will descend from the bell tower of the Church of Santo Stefano. In Pescara, in Vasto Marina (CH) and in Martinsicuro (TE) “la Befana vien dal mare,” while in Rome, in the Garbatella district, the Befana in Polizia will make her entrance in the Palladium theater riding a motorcycle.
Finally, all those who love art and culture are reminded that next Sunday will also be the first Sunday of the month with the usual free admission to all state museums and archaeological sites.
For the cover and background PHOTO (The Chezette of Scanno) we thank Enzo Gentile.
