The blackbird days / I giorni della merla

The last three days of January are traditionally the coldest of the year. In North Italy, this period is known as the "three days of the blackbird", I giorni della merla. 

According to the legend, in the ancient times blackbirds were all white. One year, a very rigid January fell over Milan, covering the city with snow and ice. A family of blackbird, two parents with three children, was risking of freezing to death. The father decided to go looking for food, and the mother, left alone, moved the nest inside a chimney to find a little warm for herself and the chicks. They had to hide for three freezing days, the last of the month, and eventually came out when February brought a bit of sunshine. The father also returned with some food but he almost did not recognise his family: in that moment they realized that the smoke of the chimney had turned all their feathers black. From that day, blackbirds are no more white, and the last three days of January can predict about the weather of all the year. In fact, people believe that if 29, 30 and 31 of January are not very cold, spring will start late and will not be warm.

Other local legends are related to the end of the winter. The feast of the Giöbia (dialect for Giubiana, a witch

named from Giovedì, Thursday) is celebrated in the town of Busto Arsizio on the last Thursday of January. During the night, several puppets shaped as ancient women are burnt in town to propitiate the end of the winter and the starting of spring. Polenta e bruscitti, cornmeal porridge served with minched meat, is still the traditional dinner, together with fritters and chiacchiere.

The puppet of the witch Giobia 

Sweet chiacchiere

La Befana

The 6th January is public holiday in Italy. According to Christian tradition, on this day we celebrate the Epiphany or the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. The visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus is also commemorated. 

In Italian folklore, in the night of Epiphany Eve, the Befana visit children to bring them presents. Befana is an old woman with poor clothes who rides a broomstick in the air and carry a hamper full of gifts. The legend says that only children who behaved goodly receives candies and sweets, while those who were bad get only black coal.

The Befana is believed to be an housekeeper who hosted the Three Wise Man during their journey to Baby Jesus. Initially refusing to join them, she changed her mind later on but failed to find them again. From that day, every year she visited all the children hoping to find the Baby Jesus and give him her sweet presents.

Since the Epiphany is the last Feast in Christmas holiday, it's greatedfully celebrated in my family. Me and my brother keep on receive a stockings full of sweets surprises -though we can find sweet black coal- then we eat a fulfilling delicious meal and toast with spumante, sort of Italian champagne (it can be sweet or dry). The traditional desserts are Pandoro or Panettone, sweet yeast breads whose proofing process takes several days: the first a Veronese product shaped like a frustum with an 8 pointed-star section and served dusted with vanilla scented icing; sugar; the second is a symbol of Milan and contains candied orange, citron, and lemon zest, as well as raisins.

Already trying to steal from my brother...

 

Lithuanian Befana brought us midaus nektaras!
Ačiū!!!