The Befana Is Returning

The Befana Is Returning PDF

Author: Steve Siporin

Publisher: University of Wisconsin Pres

Published: 2022-08-16

Total Pages: 341

ISBN-13: 0299337308

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On the night of January 5, in certain areas of southern Tuscany, a costumed, singing troupe of characters visits residents' homes, expecting to be fed and feted. This is the Befanata, a mumming tradition centered in Tuscany, whose main character--the Befana--is a kindly old woman or grandmotherly witch who delivers toys, candies, and gifts. The Befana Is Returning is a deeply researched, deftly insightful presentation of this living tradition that adds a large missing piece to the array of contemporary ethnographic scholarship on mumming.

The Legend of Old Befana

The Legend of Old Befana PDF

Author: Tomie dePaola

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2017-11-07

Total Pages: 32

ISBN-13: 1481477633

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Because Befana's household chores kept her from finding the Baby King, she searches to this day, leaving gifts for children on the Feast of the Three Kings.

Il Bel Centro

Il Bel Centro PDF

Author: Michelle Damiani

Publisher: Rialto Press

Published: 2020-08-09

Total Pages: 514

ISBN-13: 8835880866

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A witty and warm-hearted memoir of abandoning fast-paced American days in favor of discovering the Italian secrets of food, community, and life. Moving across the globe meant Michelle Damiani soon found herself untangling Italian customs, delighting in glorious regional cuisine (recipes included), and creating lasting friendships. From grandmothers eager to teach the ancient art of pasta making, to bakers tossing bread into fiery ovens with a song, to butchers extolling the benefits of pork fat, Il Bel Centro is rich with captivating characters and cultural insights. Throw in clinking glasses of Umbrian red with the local communists and a village all-nighter decorating the cobblestone streets with flower petals; as well as embarrassing language minefields and a serious summons to the mayor’s office, and you have all the ingredients for a spellbinding travel tale. Exquisitely observed, Il Bel Centro is an intimate celebration of small town Italy, as well as a thoughtful look at raising a family in a new culture and a fascinating story of finding a home. Ultimately though, this is a story about how travel can change you when you’re ready to let it. With laugh-out-loud situations and wanderlust-inspiring storytelling, Il Bel Centro is a joyous and life-affirming read that will have readers rushing to renew their passports. “This is one of the most beautiful book I’ve ever read.” “I absolutely couldn’t get enough of this book.” “This book made me want to pack my bags.” “I loved, loved this book. Fabulously written, engaging, and entertaining.” “A magical read.”

The Christmas Witch

The Christmas Witch PDF

Author: Ilse Plume

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 36

ISBN-13:

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Retells the traditional Italian tale of the poor peasant woman who, long ago, set out to find the Christ Child and wanders to this day, carrying a sack of gifts to distribute to good children at Christmas.

The Dangerously Truthful Diary of a Sicilian Housewife

The Dangerously Truthful Diary of a Sicilian Housewife PDF

Author: Veronica Di Grigoli

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2015-07-15

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 9781514802250

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When career-girl Veronica flies to Sicily for a friend's wedding, she accidentally falls in love with one of the groom's three-hundred cousins. A year later she has given up her job, house and friends, and is planning her own wedding with her Latin Lover in the shimmering heat of Sicily.

Italian Folk Magic

Italian Folk Magic PDF

Author: Mary-Grace Fahrun

Publisher: Weiser Books

Published: 2018-05-01

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1633410552

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In this fascinating journey through the magical, folkloric, and healing traditions of Italy the reader learns uniquely Italian methods of magical protection and divination and spells for love, sex, control, and revenge. "Mary-Grace Fahrun's Italian Folk Magic is an intimate journey into the heart of Italian folk magical practices as they are lived every day. Having grown up in an extended Italian family in North America and Italy, the author presents us with the stories, characters, saints, charms, and prayers that form the core of folk religion, setting them in context in an authentic, down-to-earth, and humorous voice. A delight to read!"—Sabina Magliocco, Professor of Anthropology, University of British Columbia Italian Folk Magiccontains: magical and religious rituals prayers divination techniques crafting blessing rituals witchcraft The author also explores the evil eye, known as malocchio in Italian, explaining what it is, where it comes from, and, crucially, how to get rid of it. This book can help Italians regain their magical heritage, but Italian folk magic is a beautiful, powerful, and effective magical tradition that is accessible to anyone who wants to learn it.

The Legend of Old Befana

The Legend of Old Befana PDF

Author: Tomie dePaola

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2017-11-07

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13: 1481477641

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In this beloved classic picture book, Tomie dePaola retells and illustrates an Italian Christmas folk tale, breathing warmth and humanity into the character of the lonely Old Befana and her endless search for the Christ Child. Every morning and every afternoon, Old Befana sweeps with her broom. “Cranky old lady,” the children say. “She is always sweeping!” Sweep, sweep, sweep. But when a brilliant star glows in the eastern sky one night, and Old Befana encounters the glorious procession of three kings on their way to Bethlehem, her world will never be the same.

La Befana

La Befana PDF

Author: Aurelia Uriati

Publisher:

Published: 2020-08

Total Pages: 34

ISBN-13: 9781952521324

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One day, Cristina encounters a strange old woman near the market in her village who says she lives nearby on a local hill. When Cristina's family later has a picnic on the hill, Cristina wanders off in search of the strange woman. Will curiosity get the best of her? La Befana is based on the traditional Italian folk tale about an old woman who visits children on Epiphany Eve to deliver presents and candy.

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft

Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft PDF

Author: Raven Grimassi

Publisher: Llewellyn Worldwide

Published: 2000

Total Pages: 548

ISBN-13: 9781567182576

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Grimassi has written extensively about Wicca, and Llewellyn specializes in books sympathetic to occult ways, so the combination is pretty predictable. He describes not only the usual magic practices, but also the religious and spiritual aspects of what believers say is inherited ancient European wisdom and scoffers say is made-up, new-age nonsense. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Return to Umbria

Return to Umbria PDF

Author: David P. Wagner

Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.

Published: 2016-11-01

Total Pages: 217

ISBN-13: 1464206120

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"Wagner skillfully inserts nuggets of local culture without slowing down the narrative pace, and perhaps even more importantly, he gets Italy right. He understands the nuances of Italian manners and mentality as well as the glorious national preoccupation with food."—Publishers Weekly The most famous cathedral façade in Italy is found in Umbria—a structure of gothic spires, arches, statues, and mosaics. But as translator Rick Montoya discovers, this jewel of Umbria has a dark side When Rick Montoya traveled to his mother's Italy from his father's Santa Fe, New Mexico, to work as a freelance translator using his dual heritage, he didn't expect to be helping the Italian police. His maternal uncle, a high-level commissioner in Rome, however, sees no reason not to use the resources at hand. The trouble begins when Rick is asked by his uncle to go to Orvieto to talk some sense into his cousin Fabrizio, whose fling with an older married woman is embarrassing the family. Rick agrees to give it a try. Less than a day after arrival, his language skills draw him into the brutal murder of an American visitor. The murdered woman had studied art in Italy decades earlier—why has she returned now? And when a second murder occurs in a public park—narrowly missing Rick himself—he can't help but wonder if his family has anything to do with the case. In this addition to David P. Wagner's mystery books, a dark past casts its shadow over the picturesque city of Umbria. Is it possible to right the wrongs of the past and remain unscathed? Other books in the Rick Montoya Italian Mysteries: Cold Tuscan Stone Death in the Dolomites Murder Most Unfortunate Return to Umbria A Funeral in Mantova