The Carnival of Fano is an extraordinary festival held every year between January and February, joyfully celebrating the carnival along the picturesque streets of the Adriatic city.
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The carnival party beyond tradition: the Carnival of Fano promises to overwhelm residents, enthusiasts and curious in a whirlwind of colors, traditions, music and futurism.
Carnival of Fano between history and roots
The Carnival of Fano, one of the oldest in Italy, offers an extraordinary experience that combines the historical roots of the festival with the joy of modern times.
The origin of the festival goes back even to the ancient Latin festivities of the Saturnalia and to the Greek Dionysians, contexts where rice and satire played central roles along with rites now lost.
The traces of a very first form of this celebration are found in some documents dating back to the mid-fourteenth century, with the preparation of the “Palio Carnevale”.
The recurrence took root around the middle of the fifteenth century, when the Malatesta family actively promoted its growth, making it increasingly lavish and popular, accomplice to the possibility of the servants to make fun of the bosses.
The establishment of the Society of Fortune in the nineteenth century led to the institutionalization of activities related to the carnival. Even today this society survives as “La Carnevalesca” and takes care of carrying on the carnival tradition and enhancing the folklore, cultural and tourist aspect of the city.
The festival has gone through the centuries, adapting to the transformations of society and attracting great following. Not surprisingly, in August, the Summer Carnival of Fano is celebrated, a “summer” version of the carnival party.
How the Carnival of Fano works
The streets of Fano change appearance during the carnival celebrations held between January and February. The air during the Carnival of Fano is full of festive energy with the streets filled with bright colors thanks to the elaborate costumes and extravagant masks worn by participants.
The preparation of papier-mâché floats, the parade and the costumes, the evocative jet of sweets and the symbolic El Vulón or El Pupo (scapegoat for any reckless conduct of the carnival) contribute to create a unique atmosphere.
El Vulon is the mask-symbol of the Carnival of Fano that, born in the fifties by the genius of the artist Melchiorre (Rino) Fucci, took up a character of popular imagination. With his tall top hat, moustache and goatee, monocle and peacock feather cloak, he looks like a pompous, vain minstrel. Not by chance Vulón, means arrogant person, superb and vain in Fanian dialect.
During the festivities, not only traditional music is heard, but also the notes of various musical performances. A real gem is represented by Music Arabita, an eccentric band that adds a weird note to the party playing with objects of luck.
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Children’s Carnival, a party for the little ones
It is also a child-friendly party. Fano Carnival dedicates games, shows and creative workshops for children.
The Children’s Carnival opens in the morning with the station of makeup and costume and the classic parades of floats along Viale Gramsci and continues with the animation of El Vulon.
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Traditional flavors of the Carnival of Fano: chatter and castagnole
The Carnival of Fano is famous for its “Jet of Sweets”, that is the culmination of the celebrations. During the parades, in fact, tons and tons of chocolates and candies are launched, creating a very sweet rain. In short, the participants return home with bags full of sweets.
In addition to the “Getto dei Dolciumi”, the carnival period sees the production of traditional delicacies such as chatter and castagnole, thanks to the skill of local pastry chefs who pay tribute to the culinary tradition of Fano.
The irresistible scents of typical sweets food tickle the senses of those who find themselves walking through the festive decorated alleys.
When is the Carnival of Fano 2024? The dates:
In addition to the date of January (28 January), the Carnival of Fano will be held on 14 and 11 February 2024, proposing a full program of parades and events.
How much is the ticket for the Carnival of Fano?
To experience the emotion of the parades of the floats of the Carnival of Fano, you must get one of the entrance tickets.
Usually, the cost of the online ticket to enjoy the show from the grandstand is around thirteen euros per person (but there are discounts for some categories).
The cost of the ticket of the Carnival of Fano increases in case of purchase at the checkout during the days of the masked courses and grandstands.
Copertina: dal web
