As a new year begins, revelers of traditional and colorful festivals turn their attention and excitement to carnival season.  While the ancient origins of carnival celebrations suggest they were timed as New Year’s festivals, the modern-day carnival evolved to be more closely associated with the beginning of the solemn Christian period of Lent.  The Roman Catholic liturgical calendar recognizes Carnival as the period between the Feast of the Epiphany (traditionally January 6) and the beginning of Lent (on Ash Wednesday, which is February 18 this year).

While carnival celebrations occur worldwide in many countries, the celebrations across Italy are unmatched for their festiveness, color and creativity.  Carnival in Italy is observed during February and March, culminating with parties and celebrations on Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 17 this year.  Venice may be home to best known of Italy’s carnival festivals, but many other important and famous carnivals take place across the country.

First declared a public holiday in 1296, the annual Venice event is often associated with its vibrant and beautiful masks.  The Venetian oligarchy first established the holiday as a period of entertainment and celebration for all its citizens.  The masquerade allowed revelers, regardless of social class, gender, or religion, to celebrate together.  The importance of the mask faded over time until a modern mask maker helped revive the mask-wearing tradition during the 1970’s.  Parades, outdoor events, and masquerade balls (often at the most famous Venetian palaces) occur during the weeks of the carnival season, leading to the beginning of Lent.

The famous carnival of Ivrea originally commemorated a Middle Ages event in which a tyrant was driven from the city by the people he was accused of starving.  The celebration evolved to include French soldiers as the villain, in memory of Napoleon’s occupation of Ivrea.  During this tradition, French troops represented by revelers on carts, battle the citizens of Ivrea for their freedom by throwing oranges at one another.  

Other well-known carnivals take place in the Tuscan town of Viareggio; Acireale in Sicily; Milan; and Putignano in Puglia.  February is Carnival Month in Italy and is a terrific time to visit and soak in the wonderful culture and traditions of Italy.  

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Sources:

Italy Magazine, January 29, 2016 and February 6, 2016 issues

Italia.it – The Italian Tourist Board