The colors of Christmas
Everything is ready in the square for a highly anticipated event: the annual “Santa Claus or Befana of the Year” competition. The air is full of expectation as the audience gathers to watch auditions for the much-coveted title. The municipality’s organisation is impeccable: the stage is carefully prepared, the lights shine and background music fills the air, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere. Then the parade begins, a highlight that promises surprises and laughter.
The first contestants, however, do not exactly look like real Santas or authentic Befanas. Rather than iconic figures, they appear to be clumsy imitators, unconvincing and definitely out of character. There is a dancing Santa attempting unlikely dance steps, a fire-eating Santa showing off unexpected acrobatics, and a Befana on a bicycle speeding across the stage with daring manoeuvres. With a playful but decisive tone, the presenter asks the audience to judge the authenticity of these characters and expose the “impostors” amid laughter and applause.
But the event takes an unexpected turn. Suddenly, from the far end of the square, a noisy procession of demonstrators moves towards the stage. It is a protest group. Depending on the time of year, the Befanas loudly claim the role of the one and only Gift Deliverers during the Christmas period, or conversely the Santas protest against the invasion of their territory on Epiphany. Tension rises and the event seems inevitably to be falling apart, amid whistles and shouted demands, threatening to ruin the celebration.
But just as chaos seems about to take over, magic intervenes. Suddenly, from above, as if by enchantment, the sky fills with spectacular fireworks, an explosion of light and colour that captures everyone’s gaze. Then the authentic, eagerly awaited figures appear from the rooftops. During the Christmas season they are the real Santas, with long white beards, unmistakable red suits and bulging sacks of presents over their shoulders. At Epiphany, however, the real Befanas arrive, with their inseparable broomsticks and sacks filled with sweets and coal.
These gift-delivery heroes do not arrive in an ordinary way. Some descend agilely from the windows of surrounding buildings, others glide along steel cables with acrobatic grace, while others arrive from ground level, advancing majestically on tall stilts. In a short time they fill the square, welcomed by the children’s joy, and finally begin the most eagerly awaited moment of the year: the distribution of gifts. It is a triumphant finale that restores magic and joy, making the event an unforgettable experience for adults and children alike and celebrating the true spirit of Santa Claus and the Befana.
