BETWEEN MASK AND BIG STUFF ONESELF
The scholar of folklore and of traditions dates back about to the thousand year the birth of the carnival and they consider that this name means: "the flesh is permitted", an invitation to the latest nosh-up before the long Lent jejunium.
The carnival is represented by three son-in-laws: food, mask and grimaces.
In Italy there are more than hundred different carnivals and we want to introduce you the more curious ones to discover the traditions of these old festivities, with mask, fancy dress dances and fancical challenge.
THE VENEZIA CARNIVAL:
this is esteemed the most beautiful of the world. The theme of this 2001 is "TRAVEL AND TRAVELLING" and the customs are ispired to Marco Polo and to the Million’s characters.THE VIAREGGIO CARNIVAL:
this is the best carnival of the grimace; all the year is dedicated to the paper characters creations and to their wagon. The customs are ispired to the politicians, who are represented with caricature.THE IVREA CARNIVAL (Torino):
this carnival reminds a battle happened in 1194: the insurrection against the Count Ranieri of Bindrate. Today there is the representation of that war where the supporters of the tyrant fight against the supporters of people launching oranges instead of stones . After this false battle and there is the reconciliation and 40 carts, richly adorned, pass through the main streets of Ivrea.THE PUTIGNANO CARNIVAL (Bari):
the dominant theme of this famous Apulian carnival is the politics satire. For six months a good part of the people devote floats that go by through the town. There are some fancy dress dances and the distribution of some sweets and some macaroni surround the parade.THE MUGGIA CARNIVAL (Trieste):
the lovely country of Venetian architecture, situated on the seaside, organises a parade-competition in Sunda, among eight teams that prepare some floats; the win is given with lots difficulties, but the problems belong to the entertainment. On Monday there is the big ommelette custom, made with20.000 eggs, 3 quintals of onions and some bacon, in a pan 4 metres large.
THE CENTO CARNIVAL (Ferrara):
this Emilian carnival have an enviable twinning: since1993 the winning cart of this competition will go through Rio the Janeiro boulevars.First the six suburbs, with a procession of 600 people for each one, parade, to show their floats that carry some paper characters creation. The jury has a difficult work because the winner gains the opportunity to take part to Brazilian parade in Rio de Janeiro.
written by Antonella Russo, Veronica Picelli
