52nd edition of the popular Fiera della Befana with 403 stalls plus many more that are not authorized, as always. Last year visitors were 60,000.

A tv program, which will be aired on 15 January, is being filmed on the age-old rivalry between the two centers for the site of the ancient town of Superequum. Historian Emiliano Splendore maintains the town was in the territory of present-day Castelvecchio Subequo while secinarese poet "maestro" Evandro Ricci places if below the hill where Secinaro rises. The documentary film will introduce the archeology of the area, the medieval castles, the age of the brigands. On friday 5 the filming will end with a huge polentata in piazza degli Eroi, Secinaro.

Ceramic masters, coppersmiths, blacksmiths, knife-makers, creators of sculptures in salt-paste will open their shops and show visitors the secrets of their arts. Many of these jobs are fast disappearing.

A new book, «La leggenda della montagna addormentata», by Mariarosa Dei Svaldi, collects popular tales of the oral tradition still alive in the memories of the elderly people. The anthology obtained the first ex aequo position in the prestigious «Federbim-Valsecchi» prize. One of the most beautiful is that of the prince that was changed into a gentle giant (the Gran Sasso mountain) while his mother, laying down next to him, became the Majella.

Few children still feel the macic and mystery of the Befana night, bringing chocolate and candies to the good children and coal and ashes to the nasty ones. This festivity in Southern Italy was called Pasquetta. and was accompanied by traditional songs and music. There are beautiful traditions all over, like in Lama dei Peligni, where children go to church to kiss the Child Jesus.