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Carnevale
Carnevale
According to the saying “A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale”, “everything goes at Carnival time”, nobody could have ever imagined the polar temperatures that paralyzed Italy in the last two weeks.
Even though the cold put almost at risk the celebrations for the Carnival, at Viareggio, where one of the most popular Italian Carnivals is celebrated, 50 thousand people participated at the unique spectacle of the papier-mâché floats, which can reach 30 meters in height. If you missed the beginning, don’t worry because the events at Viareggio, and in many other parts of Italy will continue on the 19th, the 21st, the 26th of February and on the 3rd of March.
Carnevale, originally a pagan feast, which traditionally concerned the subversion of what is normally established in the community, like many other pagan festivities has been adapted later on to the Catholic tradition.
The main festivity is 40 days before Easter, when a big party takes place before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
Masks, elaborate costumes and parties, without forgetting typical food of course (Castagnole and Frappe, only to mention the most popular ones) are the distinct characteristics of the feast.
Although the Carnival this year is the 21st of February, in many parts of Italy, celebrations might have already started since the beginning of the month.
The most famous carnival celebrations are held in Venice, Viareggio and Ivrea.
In Venice, Carnival lasts two weeks but, because of the city’s strong Carnival tradition, masks, ranging from cheap to extremely expensive ones, are on display in the shops all through the year.
In Venice during the Carnival season people in costumes wander about in the city. Gondola and boat parades are held along the Gran canal. There are mask parades in Piazza san Marco and spectacular fireworks on the final day to end the carnival celebrations.
A detailed programme of the celebrations can be found on the official website of the Carnevale di Venezia (http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/index.php)
In Viareggio the festivity starts two Sundays before “Martedi grasso” and finishes two weeks later. Apart from the well known papier-mâché floats which attract people from all over the world, in the Carnival period there are festivals, cultural events and special menus in the restaurants in Viareggio and its surroundings. Detailed info can be found on the official website of Viareggio’s carnival (http://www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com).
A peculiar and unusual event is on the other hand the Ivrea orange throwing battle. After a colourful parade an orange throwing battle is held in the centre of the town.
The celebration has medieval roots, which survive through the re-enactment of the city’s liberation from tyranny dating back to Medieval times: a Baron who starved the city was driven away thanks to a miller’s daughter who rebelled against the “ jus primae noctis” and roused the people to revolt.
In the battle of the oranges the fighters identify themselves with the people’s rebellion against tyranny.
In the battle the people, represented by orange throwers on foot without any protection, throw oranges at the lord’s feudal army, personified by others throwing oranges from horse-drawn carts, who wear protective masks recalling ancient armours.
All the city participate to the event and from the Thursday before Lent all townspeople and visitors wear the “Phrygian cap” , a red stocking-like hat that shows their support for the revolution and their aspiration for freedom.
The culminating event is the burning of the “Scarli”, big poles, covered with dry bushes, erected in the middle of the square of each district.
For a detailed program (http://www.comune.ivrea.to.it/Comune/index_html)
Also at Oristano (Sardinia) during the Carnival a costumed parade takes place and there is a horse race and the representation of a medieval jousting tournament called Sartigilia.
More info on (http://www.comune.oristano.it)
Giulia Lombardo
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