1. CARNEVALE ITALIANO
ITALIAN CARNIVAL
Istituto Comprensivo ‘L.Montini’
Campobasso - Italy
2007-2008
2. IL CARNEVALE IN ITALIA
CARNIVAL IN ITALY
IL CARNEVALE ITALIANO
ITALIAN CARNIVAL
IL CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA
THE CARNIVAL OF VENICE
IL CARNEVALE DI VIAREGGIO E PUTIGNANO
CARNIVAL IN VIAREGGIO AND PUTIGNANO
IL CARNEVALE DI IVREA
IVREA CARNIVAL
CURIOSITA’
CURIOSITIES
3. IL CARNEVALE IN ITALIA
CARNIVAL IN TALY
Carnevale is celebrated in Italy on the days between the 17th January,
day devoted to Saint Anthony Abbot and Shrove Tuesday. The
following day, Ash Wednesday, signs the beginning of Lent. This is a
period of fasting, pray and abstinence for the Catholics who, in the past,
were forbidden to eat meat during the 40 days of Lent. The word
Carnevale probably comes from the Latin carnem levare, meaning
“farewell to meat”.
There is an important link between Carnival and the lunar cycle:
Carnival always coincides with the new moon. The feast of Carnival
varies in time depending on Easter.
Carnevale has roots in the Roman Saturnalia with elements of other
celebrations that the Romans held in February. The Saturnalia was a
time to eat, drink, be merry and free for the Roman people. During the
Saturnalia celebrations restrictions were relaxed and the social order
inverted: gambling was allowed in public and landlords and slaves
changed roles. A Lord of Misrule, the king of the Saturnalia, was
chosen to reign during those days. As Christianity spread, the pagan
festivals were modified to become a part of the Christian calendar.
4. For centuries there have been parades, dances, entertainment, music, processions of
decorated floats through the streets, masked balls and parties. Children throw
coriandoli or “confetti”, paper streamers and flour on the people, spray silly string
and play jokes on everyone. People use disguises and masks of all kinds to hide so
that they can say whatever they want or become the character of their dreams for
some hours. A Carnevale Ogni Scherzo Vale, “Anything goes at Carnival” is the
expression most used by Italians during this period when every type of fun is
permissible and there is no limit to eating until the start of Lent. The most famous
masks, which are the emblem of Carnival, are the costumes of La Commedia dell‘
Arte, an important form of theatre developed around the 16th century.
http://www.sipario.it/masc.htm
Carnevale in Italy is different in every region and each city or town has its own
tradition. Some carnivals last a week or more although Carnival is actually one date.
There are “serious” carnivals, based on historical themes and full of medieval
costumes and jousting knights, “satirical” carnivals which make fun of politicians
and religion, “eating” carnivals which gather people in the main squares where they
cook lots of goodies and “artistic” carnivals, like the one in Venice.
5. IL CARNEVALE DI VENEZIA
THE CARNIVAL OF VENICE
Beautiful masks and elaborate costumes play an important role in the Venice
Carnival. You can see them in the squares, along the canals, over the bridges,
on gondolas … everywhere. People from all over Italy, participate in masked
balls and general festivities or enjoy theatrical and dance performances,
exhibitions and concerts. This tradition was first recorded in 1268. It reached
its peak of popularity in the 18th century. During this period nobles wore the
Bauta, a mask that covers only the upper part of the face, permitting the wearer
to drink, eat and talk easily. This mask was worn together with a black cloak.
After the Austrians took control of Venice in 1798, the Carnival fell into
decline and was not celebrated for many years. In addition to that, Carnival
celebrations were banned by the fascist government in the 1930s. In the middle
of the 1900s it became popular again. Carnival traditions are the same, but
every year the theme is different.
6. IL CARNEVALE DI VIAREGGIO E DI PUTIGNANO
CARNIVAL IN VIAREGGIO AND PUTIGNANO
Viareggio and Putignano are both famous for their Carnival
parades. Their magnificent floats feature giant caricatures of
politicians and personalities in papier-mâché that describe
embarrassing or allegorical scenes. The floats are usually
accompanied by masked people of all ages.
Putignano boasts the oldest parade;
in fact the first Carnevale celebrated
in this city can be traced back to 1394.
Viareggio Carnival is 135 years old:
it was born in 1873 as a folk event.
7. IL CARNEVALE DI IVREA
IVREA CARNIVAL
The carnival centers around a unique, exciting, anachronistic and most of
all juicy orange battle in Ivrea, near Turin. The battle is an allegoric
representation of a local insurrection, in 1194, against the Holy Roman
Emperor Frederick of Swabia, Barbarossa (Red Beard). The orange
throwing is the event with the greatest collective participation: anybody can
take part by enlisting in one of the nine teams on foot or becoming a
member of a carriage crew. Battles take place all over town. All the squares
have "safe" areas from which the event can be observed.
The main events take place on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday running
up to the grand finale on Shrove Tuesday.
8. SAINT ANTHONY ABBOT
Saint Anthony Abbot was an Egyptian hermit
who gave all his possessions to the poor and
spent several years living in the desert. The
Saint is always pictured with a pig because
according to some legends, he cured a pig that
became his faithful companion and he treated
skin diseases with applications of pork fat.
The feast of Saint Anthony Abbot takes place
on 17th January, the date of his death. It is an
ancient rural ceremony known as “the Blessing
of animals” as he is the patron of domestic
animals. The parish priest blesses the animals
brought to church. A fire burns outside the
church. All the people meet there because the
fire has the meaning to increase positive
strengths and defend the evil diseases.
9. CURIOSITA’
CURIOSITIES
The most ancient Italian Carnival is that of Fano which goes back to 1347 .
The longest Carnivals in Italy are the “Ambrosiano” in Milan which finishes the first
Saturday of Lent and the Putignano Carnival which starts on 26° December and
finishes at Ashes.
The first allegorical Italian floats were built in Viareggio in 1873.
Confetti were invented by a man from Milan. These coloured paper disks replaced the
seeds of coriander plant covered of chalk which were thrown on people.