The tradition of La Befana, equivalent to the Spanish Magi, comes a year to Italy as a closing date of the Christmas holidays to remind us that although we must return to the routine of work is always good to keep some of the Christmas spirit we have left the party.

On January 6 is celebrated in several countries of the world but it is Italy which stops almost exclusively of the sympathetic figure of the witch Befana. Legend has it that the wise men, going to Bethlehem with the tributes of gold, frankincense and myrrh, knocked on the door of the witch that would show them the way. La Befana told them the direction they should take but refused to join them to go to worship the child Jesus. But later in the night the witch regretted his decision and went in search of the Magi. Pudi©ndolos not find, was leaving a gift in every house that was with the hope that one will find the boy.

There are two events that were held in Venice and will serve to spend a day of the Epiphany different and original: the Bread and Wine, on January 5 in Jesolo and the Befana Regatta, in the historic city center on Friday 6.

The first date in Jesolo is a tradition celebrated for centuries in the region, with which it was intended to ward off evil omens and call back the sun, to bring longer days and better crops. Held for many years on 25 December, the bread and wine was transferred to the Epiphany with the adoption of the Christian calendar.

The fires typical of this tradition today serve to keep families together and share compaesanos che mulled wine and hot chocolate, plus the indispensabile "clip", a Christmas sweet made from flour of maize and dried figs. An alternative symbology provides that Mother Nature is offered as firewood, exhausted from working all year and ready to be reborn in the spring.

On January 6, however, when the Befana will fill the stockings of Italian children with candy and coal, will be held in Venice Regatta of Befana, a canoe race featuring members of the rowing society's oldest city to be dressed as witches and will be pursued by boats full of wise men and dads Christmases. The competition which began at the vaporetto station of San Tommaso at 11 am and ending at the Rialto bridge about fifteen minutes later, will the central section of the Grand Canal a racetrack exception. On arrival are distributed sweets and hot chocolate to children and adults.

If you visit Venice during these days, take advantage to visit the night of 5 Jesolo and think get up early to catch a good seat at the Rialto Bridge on Friday morning to not lose you any details of this unique way to celebrate the day of Epiphany.