The Befana Comes from the Sea

The Befana arrives from the sea in Taranto

On January 6th, while Italy celebrates the Epiphany, in Taranto, the Befana doesn't come down the chimney—she arrives from the sea. This is the magic of The Befana Comes from the Sea, an event organized by the Polisportiva Vogatori Taras ASD that transforms the Ionian capital's waterfront into a festival for children every year. The old lady, wrapped in her shawl, arrives aboard a historic ten-oared longboat powered by costumed rowers, crossing the Mar Piccolo to reach Piazzale Democrate, just a stone's throw from the Ponte di Pietra and the Old Town.

Sport, tradition, and the sea

The initiative stems from a passion for fixed-seat rowing, a traditional discipline with ancient roots in Taranto, tied to the gulf's maritime culture. The Polisportiva Vogatori Taras, an association affiliated with the FICSF (Italian Fixed-Seat Rowing Federation), chooses the day of the Epiphany to take its crews out on the water and offer the city a striking image: the longboat advancing with rhythmic oar strokes, with the Befana on board, greeted by children waiting on the square's platform.

A gesture of solidarity

At the heart of the event lies a simple and generous message: «Treat yourself to a stocking and you will treat a child to one». Every stocking reserved by families generates another, which is donated to children in foster homes and young people with disabilities assisted by local organizations. In this way, the Epiphany celebration becomes an opportunity for inclusion and concrete help, supported by the Taranto volunteer network.

A festival for the whole city

Upon the Befana's arrival, Piazzale Democrate comes alive with music, entertainment, and activities for the little ones, leading up to the most anticipated moment: the distribution of the stockings. The event, which is free and open to the public, attracts families from across the Province of Taranto and is one of the events that kicks off the new year in Puglia. Produced in collaboration with UISP Taranto and the Fondazione Taranto 25, it is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Taranto, the Province, the Puglia Region, and the Basilica Cathedral of San Cataldo.