A popular Italian proverb says “L’Epifania tutte le feste porta via.” It means that Epiphany, aka Twelfth Night, marks the end of the long holiday celebrations that begin in early December.
In other words, it’s a return to normalcy following 30 days of celebration. Practically, that means a period of moderation until the potentially raucous, excessive days of Carnevale, after which comes the traditional austerity of Christian Lent. (The word Carnevale derives from the Latin for “take away the meat.”)
