The carnival is a festival that is celebrated in countries of Catholic tradition.

The celebrations often take place in public parades in which elements dominate playful and imaginative; in particular , the distinctive and characteristic of the carnival is the use of masking.

The word carnival comes from the Latin carnem upbeat (eliminate meat) or meat, that is ! (meat , farewell), as it indicated the banquet that was held on the last day of Carnival (shgrove Tuesday), immediately before the period of abstinence and fasting of Lent.

ll Venice Carnival is the most famous around the world and is an international event whose importance is renewed from year to year through the participation of thousands of people who invade streets and squares , in a fantastic dimension that only Venice can offer. Living the Venice Carnival means then attend the " Feast " and its rituals , such as the famous Flight of the Angel or the Feast of Gentil Foresto .

VENICE CARNIVAL

The Carnival of Viareggio is famous for the parade, made of papier mache, accompanied by costumed groups that move in procession along the main avenue. The inhabitants of Viareggio began to celebrate in this way the Carnival towards the 800 , with carriages full of flowers and masked people.

One hundred thousand people attended the first parade of floats in Viareggio Since then tradition says that politicians are the characters taken more targeted!

The Cento Carnival has its origins in the seventeenth century, as evidenced by some frescoes by Guercino. Has maintained a local character until the '90s, when after the partnership with Rio de Janeiro - style carts , beautiful girls and entertainment - has become an event known to Italian and European level, able to attract many visitors. It was just the partnership with Rio, which occurred in 1993, revolutionizing the carnival of Cento to bring it to international summits and involved directly in the most famous Brazilian parades.

The wagon winner of the event Cento, holds a privilege unique in the world, to participate in the "Night of Champions" carioca the parade that takes place in the Sambadrome in Rio, almost carnivalesque ritual of the temple of the city .

The Carnival of Foiano della Chiana (Arezzo) is considered the oldest carnival in Italy, with information dating back to 1539; joint with the 2015 edition 476esima, renewed competition from four large floats belonging to the yards of Azzurri, Balloon, Nighthawks and Rustici; the village of Foiano is in fact divided into four "Shipyards" that during the year each working on a wagon carnival.

FOIANO CARNIVAL

The Battle of the Oranges (Turin ) originates from the rebellion to an evil tyrant by a young, Violetta, followed by the entire citizenship. The revolt relives every year at Carnival in the Battle of the Oranges, a fight broke out at the sound of firing of juicy oranges from Tanks jet.

Almost every region in Italy has its mask. Each mask in addition to a particular costume has a character that sets it apart .

CARNIVAL MASKS

Harlequin is a servant of Bergamo, lazzarone and fraudulent, in perpetual quarrel with his master . His name derives from medieval French: Harlequin.

The character is quirky and unconventional, but clever. Costume: He wears a suit of colored cloth Stops from a belt, baggy pants and comfortable, a shapeless hat with plume tail rabbit or a feather and a black mask over his eyes .

Balanzone Dr. Balanzone , was

born in Bologna , and owes its name to the " balanza " , ie the balance , symbol of justice of the courts . It is a character pedantic and grumpy ; much talk and not conclude anything, but also learned and wise . Costume black wide-brimmed hat , long black robe , vest , pants blacks , white lace on the wrists and neck , a lace collar , white socks and black shoes with heels . Has upturned mustache . Very often holding a book under his arm .

Brighella born in Bergamo . Makes countless other crafts, more or less legitimate and honest, always finding himself in the midst of various intrigues. Trait of character is the readiness and agility of mind, devising tricks and traps in which to drop the next. It is intriguing, very smart, and a liar. Wearing a jacket and trousers decorated gallons green and black shoes with green pom poms. The coat is white with two green stripes, the mask and hat are blacks .

Servant Venetian, is the girlfriend of Harlequin, even though he does not seem to want to marry her. It's very vain, a little owl and who care about having always look good. He is young and witty, the word easy and mischievous, able to solve the most complicated situations with dexterity. Costume Wear a cap, a green bodice cinched at the waist, with a deep neckline and wide puffed sleeves, a gathered skirt and striped raised at the front by a red satin ribbon, a white apron and white pointy shoes with red ribbon.

It is the mask of Turin . Its name derives from that of the chocolate and the famous gianduja chocolate "Gianduiotto". He is a connoisseur of wines doc and his real passion is the inns. Cheerful and honest man with good sense of love, in addition to good wine, good food also. Costume wears a costume of brown cloth , edged with red, with a yellow waistcoat and red socks. The mask was born at the end of ' 700, in full Bonapartist regime.

Born in Venice in the mid ' 500 and represents the type of the old merchant avaricious and lustful, vicious, and that undermines the young love , courtesans, and most often the maids of comedy. The name derives from Pantalone "Plant Leone", as those who were called, with the excuse to conquer new lands to Venice, planted the flag of San Marco on every land they could find. Costume: wears a skullcap, red jacket and tights, with slippers and black cloak.

Figure is a funny and awkward. It is one of the most popular Italian masks. Probably native of Naples: its name derives from the Neapolitan " figureheads " (flea or little chick ).

Cheeky, crazy, talkative, love idleness excluding eating and drinking.

It is often the subject of heavy blows that elicit laughter . Costume: He has the hump , brings a pointed hat , a black mask with a hooked nose , a smock and trousers very wide and white .

It brings a mandolin . His shoes are black and long socks with pink .

He is in Milan , the witty Meneghino (diminutive of Domeneghin ) , servant crude but common sense that , eager to keep his freedom , does not run away when he has to stand at the side of his people . Generous and quick, is proficient in mock the flaws of the aristocrats . " Domenighin " was the nickname of the servant , who on Sunday accompanied noblewomen Milan to Mass or walking .

Costume: He wears a three-cornered hat and wig with pigtail to the French, a long brown jacket , shorts and red and white striped stockings .

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