The tradition of Pefan di Montignoso

In Montignoso there is a tradition that has been handed down for several decades practically unchanged, and which concerns one of the most loved folkloristic figures in Italy, the befana. Here the Befana is called in dialect Pefan and on the evening of January 5 literally invades the country multiplying by many different people wearing masks. Everything starts from the central square of the town, Piazza Sesto Paolini. Here citizens and Pefan gather to then swarm into the houses of the people present. In fact, tradition wanted all the houses to be open, ready to offer every passerby the food left over from the Christmas holidays. Today there are fewer open houses, but no less is the joy that accompanies the party with songs and dances. The event also includes the awarding of the most beautiful mask, the most original, the most likeable and the most traditional. The closing of the party is always in the square, at midnight, when the first classified is given the painting by the painter Franco Vasini, who from year to year changes hands to the best Pefan.