File that under something you can't get enough of it: Carnival in Viareggio, part 2

I haven't gone there for ages and then in 2014 twice in a row, what's the matter? 

This time, a very tempting invitation by a friend, Serena Giovannoni of WishVersilia. She is a true and authentic Viareggina and she has organized the photo challenge "Snap the Carnival" and events for bloggers and igers, photographers to make the Carnival more "social".

Luckily, it was again a lovely sunny Sunday, we started with a good burst of energy for lunch at the beach club and resort La perla del Tirreno

Then, three shots of cannon to announce the beginning of the floats parade, so quickly a coffee and we reached the middle of everything, the centre of the universe: Piazza Mazzini. It is where the floats reach the highest point of beauty and fun. Here is the jury box, the judges have to vote to award the best float. So everything has to be more than perfect, every step, movement and dance.

We had a great point to take pictures, we were on a stage together with journalists, tv and radio broadcaster. I had just my Iphone5 with me but these are some of my shots... Let me know your comments and at the end I will tell you the Winner! ;)

Up up up get on board! 

Before and after... A revolution of LOVE!

Faces:

Such a well known face...

and more...

Carnival Faces 

Hysteria or Italy?

Head down...

Head up! 

How many monuments can you recognize?

...and finally here it slowly comes between the palaces... The Winner! 

A huge metallic spider titled "The Net/Web" by Alessandro Avanzini with a mouse head, it represents the Internet voracity and dangers, these are the main themes of the float. 

And that's it for this edition. Bye bye Carnival... See you again next year! Hope you will join the party with us! 

After many years, a return: Carnival in Viareggio

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!

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!

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. 

Revolution  by Cinquini brothers.

The dreams catcher by Franco Malfatti

Children of a Lesser God "Somebody to Love" by Roberto Vannucci

A tank full of... Happiness by Breschi Massimo

The dreams stealer by Politi S. and Borri P.

I am pretty sure, you can recognize him very well...

Does he look like as a well known Italian premier, doesn't he?

Anyway, he is just a detail of my favourite one: The drowned peninsula by Bonetti brothers. 

So which one is your favourite?

You can find more pictures: 

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Ps: If you come to Lucca in August, you might have a chance to see the floats parade as they organize a Summer Carnival, please ask for more information to Debora or Paola.