Carnevale in Italy adds a splash of brightness to the gloomy, chilly winter months. A massive farewell party to eat, drink, and have fun before the limitations and solemnity of Lent. About a month before Ash Wednesday, Italians celebrate over many weekends with big parades, fancy masks, and tons of brightly colored confetti. The origins of this event may be traced to ancient Greece and Rome, when they worshipped Bacchus (of wine) and Saturn. Some think they date back to archaic winter-to-spring ceremonies. Despite its pagan origins, the event was so extensively celebrated and the tradition so powerful that it was swiftly altered to fit into Catholic rituals. Carnevale is traditionally celebrated on Fat Tuesday (February 25 in 2020), but the weekend prior features just as large or maybe more significant activities. The most famous

carnival Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival t ...

s in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

are those held in

Venice Venice ( ; it, Venezia ; vec, Venesia or ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 small islands that are separated by canals and linked by over 400 ...

Viareggio Viareggio () is a city and ''comune'' in northern Tuscany, Italy, on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With a population of over 62,000, it is the second largest city within the province of Lucca, after Lucca. It is known as a seaside resort as ...

, Ivrea,

Cento The Middle East Treaty Organization (METO), also known as the Baghdad Pact and subsequently known as the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO), was a military alliance of the Cold War. It was formed in 24 February 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Tur ...

, Puglia and

Acireale Acireale (; scn, Jaciriali, locally shortened to ''Jaci'' or ''Aci'') is a coastal city and ''comune'' in the north-east of the Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, southern Italy, at the foot of Mount Etna, on the coast facing the Ionian Sea. ...

. These carnivals include sophisticated masquerades and parades.

Venice

The carnival in Venice was first documented in 1296. with a Senate of Venice proclamation announcing a public festival the day before the start of Lent. Unquestionably one of the most well-known Carnival festivities in the world, the Carnival of Venice is rife with mystery, adventure, and conspiracy. Curious as to the significance of the Carnival of Venice's mask and costume traditions? The day served to break down barriers between people of different economic standings, sexual orientations, and religious beliefs. During the Renaissance, masked comic performers performed in Venice's piazzas. Mussolini outlawed these masks and hard partying in the 1930s. In 1979, the holiday reappeared to celebrate Venice's history and culture. Today, about 3 million people travel to Venice to take part in the famous Festa Veneziana. This makes it the most important event in the city and the biggest carnival celebration in Italy.

Viareggio

The Carnival of Viareggio is the second-most popular in Italy. It lasts a month with night and day celebrations, floats, parades, district celebrations, masked dances, and other shows. The first masquerade took place in 1873, in response to the upper classes' dissatisfaction with having to pay hefty taxes. The Viareggio festival currently lasts a month, with events taking place both at night and during the day. Thousands of travelers go to Italy for parades, carnival masks and costumes, concerts, and music.

Ivrea

Carnival Parade in Ivrea, Italy: the miller's wife on her float. The Historic Carnival of Ivrea is mostly known for its

Battle of the Oranges The Carnival of Ivrea is a festival in the Northern Italian city of Ivrea, which includes a tradition of throwing of oranges between organized groups, known as the Battle of the Oranges. It is the largest food fight in Italy and surrounding countr ...

, allegory of struggle for freedom. It is valued as one of the most ancient carnivals in the world. The fight commemorates Ivrea's rebellion against Napoleonic troops in 1194. The miller's daughter, "la Mugnaia," allegedly killed the city's dictator after he tried to kidnap her, sparking an uprising that gave the inhabitants more freedom. Ivrea's Carnival celebration now includes parades in medieval costumes, folkloristic ensembles, and musical performances from Italy and Europe. While enjoying the festive ambiance, don't forget to try the typical carnival dish, Fagiolata, a delicious bean soup.

Acireale-

The exquisite floats decked with fresh flowers, which give beauty and fragrance to the streets of Acireale, are largely responsible for the Carnival's reputation as one of Italy's most stunning. In the 16th century, revelers in "Acireale" used to celebrate Carnival by flinging rotten eggs and lemons, but when these activities were formally outlawed, they were replaced with far more refined traditions. Today, both floats and poets may be found at the Acireale Carnival, which is widely regarded as the "best Carnival in Sicily." In fact, it is so popular that the entire affair is recreated in August's mild summer weather.

Puglia

Not only is it the longest Carnival celebration in Europe, but it is also one of the oldest. Putignano's Carnival dates back to 1394, when St. Stephen's relics were moved inland to Putignano to safeguard them from invasion. Peasants abandoned their vineyards to join the parade, erupting in song, dancing, and improvised rhymes and poetry satirizing politicians, news, customs, and current events in the local vernacular. The festivities of this lengthy Carnival begin on December 26 and continue every Thursday until January 17, which is the feast day of St. Anthony the Abate. Every day is Carnival from then until Fat Tuesday!

History

Although the origins of Carnival may be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman celebrations, it is associated with the Catholic world. In actuality, it is celebrated on Holy Days, the final day before Lent when feasting is permitted. Therefore, it does not have a fixed date, but rather relies on the day of Easter. In different places, the celebrations grew into a party and a parade for diverse causes. Whether the higher classes were exhibiting their wealth with elegantly decorated carriages or the poorer classes were following troops through the streets, carnival evolved across Italy. Many Carnivals were prohibited in the 18th century, only to be reinstated in the 20th.

Gallery

File:BattagliaMercenariIvrea.jpg, Carnival Parade in Ivrea, Italy: the battle of the oranges. File:Azeglio carnevale.jpg, Carnival float in Azeglio, near Ivrea, 1929 File:Carnevale in piazza.jpg, Carnival in the square of Azeglio, near Ivrea, 1929 File:I Romiti.jpg, Hermit (tree-man masks) in

Satriano di Lucania Satriano di Lucania is a town and '' comune'' in the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata. Key events in the town include the Carnival, folk festivals and the renowned murales. History In the Middle Ages it was a ...

{{Carnival around the world

References

Mussio, Gina. “Carnevale in Italy: What It Is and Where to Celebrate.” ''Ciao Andiamo'', Ciao Andiamo, 7 Dec. 2021
https://ciaoandiamo.com/carnevale-in-italy-what-it-is-and-where-to-celebrate/.
“Most Famous Carnival Celebrations in Italy.” Edited by FireBird Tours, ''Firebird Tours ®'', FireBirdTours, 11 Oct. 2022
https://www.firebirdtours.com/blog/most-famous-carnival-celebrations-italy.
Savarese, Maria Rosaria. “Carnevale in Italy - All You Need to Know about Carnival.” ''Learn Italian Go'', Maria Rosaria Savarese Https://Learnitaliango.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2019/09/Learn-Italian-Go-Logo.png, 26 Feb. 2021
https://learnitaliango.com/carnevale-in-italy/.