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Carnevale: How to Say Mardi Gras in Italian
Although this festival probably dates as far back as ancient Egypt, the modern celebration is linked to the Catholic church and celebrates the last days of feasting before the fasting of Lent begins. Indeed, the name derives from the Latin word for "meat," a food which is not allowed during Lent. It is thought that the tradition of wearing costumes during the practice of raucous activities was acquired from the barbarian tribes who invaded from the north in the Middle Ages. Today, each town and city has its own way of celebrating Carnevale. Here are some (but by no means all) of the most spectacular:


VENICE

Carnevale 2009 will run from February 14-24 and is dedicated to Love. There will be a Grand Ball in honor of Saint Valentine, another with a Dolce Vita theme, and lots of parties and star quality entertainment during Carnival week!

VIAREGGIO, TUSCANY

Peace, Love and Solidarity is the theme of the 135th year edition of the Carnival of Viareggio. This worl d famous venue attracts hundreds of thousands of people to its parades. These take place on January 20th and 27th, February 3rd, 5th, and 10th.  There are loads of spectacular events, musical comedies, sports competitions, and food and wine tasting, all of which will offer everyone an unforgettable Carnival celebration in Viareggio this year. Click here for the website.




ACIREALE , SICILY

One of the most famous Sicilian carnivals is hosted in the beautiful historic center of Acireale amidst its magnificent Baroque buildings and Cathedral. The colorful allegorical floats, which are made with paper-mâché and flowers, parade through the streets and the onlookers are invited to join in and actively participate in the merrymaking. There is a rich program of events to assure everyone has a memorable Carnival time in Acireale. Click here for the website.


BUSSETO, EMILIA-ROMAGNA

The Great Carnival of Busseto, in the province of Parma, will start this year on Sunday, January 20th. To mark the 127th edition, two new c ostume competitions have been organized: The “Don Camillo and Peppone Look-a-Like Prize” to be awarded to the couple for the best re-creation of the much loved Italian literary/film characters Don Camillo and Peppone; and “The King of Laughter Prize” to  be given to the person with the funniest Carnival costume. There will be lots of activities and events to watch and take part in during the weekends: costume parades, marching bands, parades with various themed floats, musical performances, and gastronomic stands with delicious traditional local food and wines. The Great Carnival of Busseto is not only for people of all ages, but it’s also for trailers. In fact, on January 27th, there will be a rally in Busseto and a prize will be awarded to the trailer with the best “costume.” Click here for the website.



MAMOIADA, SARDINIA

The Carnival of Mamoiada is one of the oldest folkloristic events in Sardinia. This three-day celebration offers the entire community of Mamoiada a chance to gather in the village main square and dance wearing the traditional Sardinian masks, the Mamuthoes and Issohadores. On Fat Tuesday, the last day of Carnival, the mask of Juvanne Martis Sero, which symbolizes the death of Carnival, is tied to a cart and drawn through the streets by the village men. As the cart passes, the crowds cry and sing songs of consolation to mourn the ending of Carnival . At the end of the mask’s journey, everybody feasts on traditional Sardinian dishes and local wines. Click here for the website.


 OFFIDA, ASCOLI PICENO, THE MARCHES

The Carnival of Offida goes back to the 1700s and still today two folklore traditions continue to highlight the Carnival celebrations in this lovely hilltop town in the Marche Region. The first tradition is called Lu Bov Fint (The Ox Hunt) a nd it takes place on Friday afternoon, the day after Fat Thursday. The tradition calls for a group of young people, dressed up in traditional costumes, to frantically run through the streets of the village and catch a fake ox. The second is the Vlurd (The Procession of the Burning Sheaves) held on the night of Fat Tuesday. All the townspeople, who are dressed in traditional local costume, walk in a single file procession through the village streets carrying burning sheaves to a bonfire in the main square. This procession, which resembles a snake on fire, marks the end of Carnival. Click here for the website.


 CENTO, FERRARA, EMILIA-ROMAGNA

For five consecutive Sundays, January 20th, 27th, February 10th, 17th, and 24th, the Carnival of Europe will be held in the city of Cento. The spectacular allegorical papier-mâché floats are the prime attraction of the celebration. The competition to build the best float a mongst the Cento float builders is stiff; every year the various associations of float builders construct an array of extraordinary floats, in hope of winning the coveted Best Float Award. Carnival celebrations have been taking place in Cento since the 1600s. In 1993, the Carnival of Cento became associated with the Rio de Janeiro Carnival and now features the participation of dazzling samba dancers from one of the most important Carioca samba schools, giving an even more lively and electrifying atmosphere to Carnival. Click here for the website.


IVREA, PIEDMONT

The Historic Carnival of Ivrea marks its 201st year of celebration this year. And once again, the traditional march of the pipe and drum band, through the piazzas and the streets, officially opened the Carnival season on January 6th.  This year’s program is filled with numerous celebrations, events and cultural initiatives, but the highlight of the Ivrea Carnival is always The Battle of the Oranges, the re-enactment of the medieval revolt led by the townsfolk to overthrow its despotic ruler Count Ranieri. This battle represents for the people of Ivrea the liberation of their ancestors and is considered one of the most famous Carnival happenings in the world. Click here for the website.

Click here for a gorgeous Venice Carnival Photo Album by Irmingard Anna Kotelev

[Regions of Italy]