We are almost there, it won’t be long now to the opening of the festivities dedicated to one of the most popular holidays, and not only by children: Carnival.
From north to south there will be many scheduled events, masked parades, allegorical floats and events related to the carnival in Italy, which will attract visitors from all over.
Would you like to discover some of the most representative Italian traditions of our country? I will begin by telling you that both in Italy and in the rest of the world, Carnival is famous because it gives people the possibility of becoming a character of history, fantasy, a movie and much more.
Every Italian city celebrates it according to its own tradition, organizing fancy dress parties and dances, magic shows, large colored floats and so on.
But before you find out what happens on the day dedicated to fun in some of them, would you like to know what its meaning and origins are?
First of all I want to tell you that the word Carnevale comes from the Latin and means “to eliminate meat” and in our tradition it is held in the period that precedes Lent.
And not only, because in Italy the party stands out from all the others for its regional masks, each of which has a funny and recognizable feature.
You will surely know that there are many unmissable events in our country, starting from:
- Carnevale di Venezia
- Carnevale di Viareggio
- Carnevale di Putignano
- Carnevale di Cento.
And there would still be many to list, one more beautiful and evocative than the other and that every year attract thousands and thousands of people.
The traditions of Carnival: how to celebrate in small and large Italian towns
I could stay here writing for hours about the traditions related to the Italian Carnival, but I would like to focus in particular on two of the most representative of our beautiful country and that amuse all Italian families.
In the lagoon city, the splendid Venice, tradition has it that the carnival opens with the “Volo d’Angelo”.
Believe me, it is a unique experience to admire a girl dressed as an angel who flies above the people from the bell tower of San Marco, throwing confetti.
In Viareggio, another Carnival known all over the world, we witness the parade of the evocative carts made of papier-mâché that parade along the promenade.
Just think that the people of Viareggio work all year to realize real works of art, whose protagonists are political or show business figures.
I also want to tell you that the birth of the Carnival in this Tuscan town dates back to the end of the 19th century, when putting on a mask became a pretext to protest against high taxes.
Culinary tradition dedicated to Italian Carnival
A particular culinary tradition is closely linked to Carnival, which in this period sees the preparation of many delicious and typical desserts from every single region.
Have you ever tasted, for example, the excellent chiacchiere or the Neapolitan zeppole? And the Tuscan cenci? Each region honors the party with recipes rich in taste and handed down for centuries. Although with some variations, everywhere fried desserts are a must if by chance you decide to spend a day full of fun in Friuli, do not miss the opportunity to taste the delicious castagnole!