The "Ghibinet" festival is an ancient tradition of Livigno and Valtellina, a children’s habit that also appeals to adults, born to remember the arrival of the Three Kings with the gifts to Child Jesus.
The word Ghibinet could derive from the German "Gaben-nacht", which literally means "night of the gifts", or from the German "Gib mir etwas", which means, instead, "Give me something", a translation that is closer to the true meaning of this festivity that continues to entertain children and not only.
According to tradition, on Epiphany day in Livigno people say goodbye to each other by pronouncing the "magic formula" and the children go through the village streets with sledges, looking for sweets and little presents.
The old habit was to leave very early in the morning knocking on the last houses of the town to the sound of "Bondì Ghibinet". Last year, due to anti-Covid restrictions, this holiday was celebrated more with the family. On horse-drawn sleighs, volunteers dressed in period costumes brought gifts directly to the children on the street in front of their houses.
But this year, on January 6, anyone who doesn't immediately answer "Bondì Ghibinet" to the greeting will have to pay a pledge by offering a small gift. So if you are in Livigno on the Epiphany, remember that the password is "Bondì Ghibinet"!
As you can see, Livigno is never short of sharing local traditions, but not only: we know all the secrets to give you an ideal holiday. Come and visit us!
Erker Chalet & Apartments wishes all its Friends a Bondì Ghibinet!
ph. Enzo Bevilacqua
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