Louis Michael

If there is anyone out there reading this missive who has ever stumbled across my previous ruminations, you will know that I waffle on for half an hour before inexorably grinding my way to an exhausted halt, upon rather belatedly getting to the point. A bit like that sentence really. Well, you will be relieved to know that today is the exception that proves the rule: the waffle will have to take its turn, as the point is too good to wait and has been promoted to paragraph 3.I went to an event recently at the Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta and am pleased to say it was the most delightful and well attended evening I have yet attended. It was in Dr Anna Porcheddu's Magic Box series and featured Befana, the great old lady of post Christmas Italy.  The evening was open to children of all ages, from the very young to those of my generation and even older. Children, of all ages, with little or no Italian were encouraged to come and experience a little bit of Italian culture, as an evening of games, enjoyment and treats was promised for all.And lo and behold, the Magic Box was rewarded with the largest turn out I have ever seen at the Institute. Most pleasingly there was a very high percentage of children of school age and lower. A short introduction from Anna and Dr Salvatore Schirmo gave us the background and importance of this old lady. Legend has it that an old woman failed to help the Three Kings in their quest to find the Baby Jesus. She soon regretted this and out of remorse and guilt she took gifts and tried to find Him herself. She didn't find Him, and on returning home, on the 6th of January, she gave her gifts to other children as presents. The old lady's name was Befana, and since that time, every year Befana brings a belated present to children on the 6th of January. But only if they are good! Ah, perhaps that would explain why I'd never come across her.No sooner had they finished their introduction than Befana herself arrived to a tremendous reception and the evening was off. Dr Porcheddu, disguised as a Panda, welcomed Befana, who gave us a short narrative on her exploits the previous day, visiting all the children of Italy. And now as a special treat she had flown over that day to visit the children of Malta and bring them presents: an announcement that went down very well. She was clearly very tired from flying on her broom the previous day, as a sticker on her pointed hat carried words that looked suspiciously like "Alitalia"!   The fun started with the youngest of us children, who were brought up to the stage to take part in a colouring competition. Befana and her Panda had no trouble encouraging an excited troupe of toddlers to get colouring their Befana drawings.The older school children were treated to a song about Befana, but then had to complete the "missing words" quiz on the song's lyrics. It sounds easy, but I struggled with it. Some were luckier, the Panda's mother was in the audience and the venerable Signora Graziella surreptitiously dropped hints to anyone within earshot. Meanwhile the adult children towards the back chatted amiably while the younger ones played: but not for long.Soon it was their turn and Befana and the Panda organised a simple word game of "Chinese whispers" to involve various competing teams. Chinese whispers in Italian may sound a contradiction, but the results were hilarious and hugely entertaining. As ever, when you are enjoying yourself time flies, and on this occasion time had well and truly flown. It was time to wrap up the evening, but not before competitions were judged and prizes were given. This being Befana, she had a little something for everyone in her tatty old sack. We were all winners and she gave us all a present, even me! Which shows that either I wasn't entirely bad this year, or that I wasn't bad the entire year. No doubt my son will enlighten me.   Which just left time for the "informal" part of the evening, where we enjoy a drink and a little something. And this month the table held mountains of pandoro and my particular favourite, panettone. Clearly I am not the only fan of this Italian seasonal speciality, as the assembled hordes descended on them, quickly hoovering them up and within minutes the table stood forlorn and forgotten, and empty. But this gave me the opportunity to buttonhole the great lady herself. How was the trip from Italy, and how are you finding Malta?"Well", she said in a slightly guilty tone, "yesterday was a very long day and I'm not young anymore. Alitalia gave me a special row of seats for myself and my sacks of presents; they're always so nice to me. But Malta looks lovely, and the children are gorgeous. And they really are good children."So the question must be: will you be back?"Oh yes" she replied enthusiastically. "I'll be back next year, and every year: if you all promise to be good!"We promise Befana, we promise.  Now where are Drs Porcheddu and Schirmo? Congratulations are in order."Thank you very much" said Salvatore, "we're very happy with this evening. It was great to see so many people, particularly the youngsters of all ages: they are our future. They no longer get the exposure to Italian here in Malta, so it's great to have them here interacting and experiencing our culture. We want to reach out to them with many more programmes and events."And Anna, the Magic Box is your baby, how did you get Befana to come here? And can I just add that Panda suit looks very soft and smart."Well, it's very hot in this fluffy suit" said a clearly exhausted but elated Anna, "but very much worth the effort. I was very lucky to be contacted by Befana, she had heard about the children of Malta being so good and wanted to meet them. She'd heard about the Magic Box too and thought that would be a great way of meeting. I was very surprised to get the call but we are all thrilled to have her here: the whole evening was such an exciting event. And can I just say a big thank you to Sarah Portelli who I couldn't have managed without: she has looked after Befana since she arrived." Yes you most certainly can, and indeed you have.And then the evening was over and we made our way out into the deserted streets of Valletta. Smiling and contented, we took in the buildings and the way the lights and shadows give a depth to the architecture, highlighting little details that are masked by the daytime sun. It is my favourite time of the day in the city, when the quiet streets allow the observer to drink in the splendour of the...hang on a minute!  Befana only goes to see good children and gives them presents. She never goes to the island on the western extremity of Europe where I was a boy. Therefore...maybe she has mistaken the name, it's Ireland not Pleasure Island!  Befana! Come back! Befana...