I don’t
remember when it was the last time I went to the Carnival in Viareggio. Let’s say that it was a thing that I did not
miss so much.
When I was a child, my mum and my grandfather used to take me
there every year and I have a lot of great memories and pictures, apart those
where I was dressed as a Sardinian man (the folk, typical costume from the region of
Sardinia, where my mum comes from), not even the female version, but the male
one!
So you can
imagine how it was disappointing! Nobody had a clue of what my dress meant and
even if I was asked about it, nobody still could not really understand. All
these kids dressed as superheroes, animals, fairies and princesses… and me? A
proud Sardinian!
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| That's me! :) |
Anyway, I
had a great time especially when I
grew up and that dress did not fit me anymore! ;) So I became a space woman, a
clown and I enjoyed it so much!
Last
Sunday, after many years, thanks to a lovely sunny day I decided to go back to
the Carnival and what a surprise!
I did not
have a costume this time, even if the atmosphere is so funny and happy, that
you feel very tempted to put on a silly fluo wig on your head and start to
dance following the parade.
The
Carnival in Viareggio has a very long tradition
for more information, I suggest you to read here Carnival Viareggio website
You have probably heard about the Venice Carnival, ok, that’s beautiful as well and worth to see, but if you are looking for something more fun and local, Viareggio is the right place! A must!
The most special thing about it is the floats parade. The float is made mainly in papier mache (water, glue, chalk and paper). There is a competition so there are 3 categories, they are incredibly huge works of art. They can reach up to 20 meters and they parade along the seaside for about 3kms, there are people on them dancing and singing!
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| Guess who is the main character of this float? |
They are
designed, projected and realized by what we call the Mastro Carraio (the float master). Each float needs almost a year
to be prepared. Usually they are inspired by the present time: politicians, celebrities, actual issues as the war,
the racism, the environment etc… represented in a satirical and irreverent way.
That’s maybe one of the reason why foreigners, tourists do not enjoy it so
much, because sometimes you do not get the message, as you do not know that
Italian politician or artist.
However, I
am sure you will be amazed by these pictures
and you will want to know more about it…and you can be satisfied coming to
Carnival next time, going to the museum and citadel to see and touch where
these floats are made.
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| Revolution by Cinquini brothers. |
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| The dreams catcher by Franco Malfatti |
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| Children of a Lesser God "Somebody to Love" by Roberto Vannucci |
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| A tank full of... Happiness by Breschi Massimo |
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| The dreams stealer by Politi S. and Borri P. |
I am pretty sure, you can recognize him very well...
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| Does he look like as a well known Italian premier, doesn't he? |
So which one is your favourite?
You can find more pictures:
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