Il Carnevale di Viareggio, 150 years on

On the posters and website of the Comune di Viareggio (Viareggio local constituency) the character of Burlamacco stands out: although the mask was created only in 1930 by Uberto Bonetti , its features refer back to the Commedia Dell’ Arte .

On the posters and website of the Comune di Viareggio (Viareggio local constituency) the character of Burlamacco stands out: although the mask was created only in 1930 by Uberto Bonetti , its features refer back to the Commedia Dell’ Arte .After a break due to the Second World War, in 1946 the festivity could be planned again, and it rose to media stardom when RAI in 1954 broadcast first ‘live’ commentary and a few years later the parade made it to Eurovision.

Although disaster struck in 1960 when the workshops where the floats were being built caught fire, the parade still took place signalling the importance for both local and national enthusiasts of the underpinning meaning of the Viareggio Carnival, which is totally different from other forms across Italy. This is what we are now turning to.

NO ITALIAN PUBLIC FIGURE HAS EVER ESCAPED UNSACTHED!!

The main focus of the Carnevale is political and social satire: the gigantic papier-mâché floats depict politicians and celebrities with a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ irreverence that adds to the joyful festivity. Eagerly awaited and thunderously clapped floats created by the highly-skilled carristi (master floats builders) are voted by famous guests and thousands of viewers.

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