Italian Christmas at the Hermitage Student Club

On the New Year Eve of 2002 Lo studio italiano of the Hermitage Student Club organized a celebration of Italian Christmas for the students and their Italian friends. Lute music of the 16th century Italian composer Francesco da Milano was played, Italian Christmas songs were sung and verses recited. Students staged a Christmas performance. Guests received gifts from the good witch Befana, the favorite Italian fairy tale character. Legend describes Befana as a hunched old woman with a hooked nose and protruding chin, wearing a pointed hat, long cloak and worn socks. Despite the fearful appearance, Befana has a kind heart. Italians believe that on the night of the 6th of January, the Epiphany Eve, she comes flying a broom bringing a bag of gifts, toys and sweetmeats for good children, coals (burnt sugar) for bad ones. Befana's Christmas wishes to the people of St. Petersburg were translated into Russian by the Student Club's Italian friends. Traditional Italian cakes for the guests were baked by one of the students.

Student theater

Student theater

New Year wishes from Befana's striped stocking