Carnival in Italy – masks, pomp and parades
Carnival in Italy is a time of exuberant joy, feasting and magnificent parades. This ancient and colourful tradition immediately precedes Lent and is celebrated in different ways from region to region and city to city.
Costumes are a must
Carnival in Italy usually begins on Shrove Thursday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Costumes are an essential part of Carnival, as they allow people to hide their identity and slip into other roles. The costumes are often imaginative, original and humorous, and often reflect current events or political satire. Masks are also an essential part of the celebrations, as they completely or partially cover the face, thus obscuring social differences. The masks are often made of papier-mâché, leather or fabric, and come in various shapes and colours.
Magnificent parades
The parades are the main attraction of carnival in Italy. Thousands of people gather at the roadside as the elaborately designed floats pass by in an endless procession. The floats take up various themes such as fairy tales, legends and myths. Many themes relate to current events, which are interpreted satirically. The floats are often decorated with puppets, figures or symbols that move or make noises. The parades are accompanied by groups of masked people who throw sweets, confetti and streamers into the crowds of spectators.
Carnival in Venice: Italy’s most famous carnival
The Carnival in Venice is the best known and most famous in Italy, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world every year. It originated in the 10th century, when the Venetians began wearing masks to conceal their social status. Venetian masks are the symbol of the carnival. They come in various shapes and have different meanings, such as the bauta, which covers the entire face, the moretta, which is worn only by women, and the colombina, which covers only the eyes. The colourful programme of events includes numerous activities and attractions with imaginative names such as the ‘Flight of the Angel’, ‘Flight of the Lion’ and ‘Festa delle Marie’. The best mask is also chosen as part of the celebrations.
Viareggio Carnival: The highlight in Tuscany
The Viareggio Carnival is the most important and spectacular in Tuscany and is considered one of the most significant in Europe. It was founded in 1873 when a group of citizens organised a protest march against tax increases. The Viareggio Carnival is famous for its huge and magnificent floats, which are made of papier-mâché and often caricature famous personalities or poke fun at political decisions. The supporting programme consists of numerous parties and masked balls, where participants proudly present their creative costumes and masks. In Viareggio, there is a whole structure behind it – various museums dedicated to the images and floats of past years, as well as a large permanent workshop that works on new projects and ideas throughout the year. https://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com/de/carnevale-cittadella/die-cittadella/
At the Viareggio Carnival, various snacks and sweets typical of Tuscan cuisine are on offer. One popular treat is cenci. These are thin strips of dough fried in hot oil and sprinkled with icing sugar. They are crispy and sweet and come in various shapes, such as bows, knots or plaits. A flat cake made from flour, sugar, eggs, butter and orange peel, known as schiacciata alla Fiorentina, is another of the delicacies sold during the carnival.
