THE 12 NIGHTS OF THE BEFANA

This is the story of a long journey whose aim was to find a way to restore an imagination to all those children who watch too much television and electronic games.
It is inspired by the tradition of the Tuscan Befana [an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the eve before Epiphany, 5th January] and freely integrated with references to various regional Italian and European folklore.
The story and the pictures were taken from the show of the same name, winner in 2005 of the Ribalte di Fantasia prize promoted by the folklore magazine Il Cantastorie, the Fondazione Famiglia Sarzi and the Centro Etnografico Ferrarese.
The show made its first appearance in 2002 and its success has encouraged us to publish the story. The foam rubber puppets and scenery, and all the costumes in the show are made by Patrizia Ascione, while the stories and stage direction are by Stefano Cavallini.

The 12 nights of the Befana
by Stefano Cavallini and Patrizia Ascione
Habanera Books – 58 pages
series: Puppets and marionettes to read
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