In ancient times, in Sicily, the most cheerful celebration of the year, the Carnival, began immediately after theEpiphany and lasted more than a month, until the arrival of the LentAfter the earthquake of 1693 the duration of the festivity began to be reduced.
Wagons e allegorical parades, re-enactments e pantomime historical, dances and ancient propitiatory rites took place on that occasion.
Carnival It is a pagan festival of very ancient origins, born from the Hellenistic and Athenian festivals which took place respectively, one in honour of Isis at the beginning of March and the other in honor of Dionisio at the end of February.
In our Island, Carnival arrived around 1600. Since then, although with the necessary differences, the streets of the carnival cities become the scene of demonstrations and events, parades of floats and masks, confetti and streamers, lights, flowers, music, jokes in the name of Semel in anno licet insanire!
The masks of Catania
Le Masks The most characteristic features of the Carnival are a parody of the representatives of the city's social classes, such as the “Ducturi", of the "Barons" and "Abbati". Between the main masks of Catania, moreover, it is necessary to remember that of “l'Abbatazzu"The Pueta Minutizzu, in vogue since the mid-seventeenth century, which, it is said, found its origins in a joke by an old cardinal who administered these lands. To him, in Carnival of Acireale, other historical figures join, such as the Manti and Domino. There were also masks of Cola Taddazzu, Quadaredda e Nunziu Setti Cappeddi, popular in the 1950s. In Acireale we also find historical figures such as Salvatore Grasso, known as “Cuccitto”.
The cities of the most beautiful Carnivals: Misterbianco and Acireale
There are several cities in Sicily that boast well-known and famous carnivals. In the province of Catania, there are some truly unique and special ones. We recall the one in misterbianco, 'Most beautiful costumes di Sicily, famous for the spectacular costumes that enliven the fashion shows in the city centerThe celebrations include the parade of over seven hundred masksThe preparation of one-of-a-kind costumes, exquisitely crafted using precious materials, helps make the event a true jewel in the city's crown.
And above all of Acireale, designated as the The most beautiful and spectacular Carnival in Sicily. This year, the third most picturesque carnival in Italy has a great novelty: the payment of the ticket cost of of € 5 (or a €20 pass for six entries) for non-residents, which will allow access to the parades of floats, masked groups and concerts. For some years, the event has also been offered to tourists in spring and summer with the Flower festival e Summer Carnival.
The flower-decorated floats of Paternò and Acireale
Il Carnival of Acireale It is just as famous and important as the Venice Carnival, it boasts an ancient tradition and has been talked about since the end of the 500th century. At the beginning of 1930 the papier-mâché masks, which then transform into allegorical floats pulled by oxen, surrounded by moving satirical characters and groups.
A touch of elegance and liveliness to the Acireale carnival is given by the flowered machinesThe first decorated cars recall the role played by the "lando" during the 19th century. Artisan workshops were established, creating increasingly elaborate floats, which continue to this day. In 1948, it became one of the most renowned international events.
It has been like this for more than seventy years, the carnival of Acireale is defined as the "most beautiful in Sicily", acquiring a national dimension.
Paternò is also famous for its floral floats, a unique tradition, with floats decorated with various seasonal flowers, from carnations to daisies, orchids to violets, in addition to the traditional allegorical ones. It's impossible not to remember historic tank drivers as: Santo Fallica, Liberato Castro, Vincenzo Di Martino, Joshua Gulisano, Nino Caliò, Chiantello, Virgillito, Ronsivalle creators of the papier-mâché giants, protagonists of an increasingly distant past. Among the historic flower craftsmen remember: Antonino Asero, Gaetano Meci and Antonino Abate, Antonino Licciardello, Benedict Abbot. People arrived in Paternò en masse by every means and from every place.
Both cities boast this tradition in eastern Sicily.
The historical carnivals
Many carnivals were celebrated in the province of Catania, with specific manifestations and peculiarities which determined its success, they have now almost disappeared due to costs and changing socio-economic and cultural situations. Today, the most joyful celebration of the year is celebrated in a more scaled-down way.
This is the case of Carnivals of Biancavilla, Adrano, Belpasso and Bronte.
The tradition of the cassariata, Namely the parade of the nobles' carriages (landaus) who threw multi-colored confetti at the people. Later, these prams with the noble owners they were "ousted" by papier-mâché.
Historic Carnival of Paternò
Il Paternò Carnival It is among the oldest in Sicily and the oldest in the province. The first edition took place in 1867. Paternò managed to compete with nearby Acireale; the dances in the square and in the main streets, a joy of life, the allegorical floats, the flower-decorated cars, gave the Paternò carnival the nickname of more cheerful and fun than the most popular Carnival in SicilyThe Paterno Carnival had some typical elements, distinguishing itself for its originality and popular participation. The dance floor was the main squares, animated by the “mascarati”, playful female figures who, with simple costumes, expressed creativity and their desire to have fun; a carnival tradition built on the work of artisans and artists, whose works were impressive for the beauty of their forms, the grandeur of their structure, their allegory, and their ability to capture the grotesque and “madness” of the modern world.
In the city of pistachio the tradition of laddarori
In Bronte, home of the most famous pistachio on the island, Carnival is the occasion to revive the story of the laddarori, the ancients Carbonari who worked on the slopes of theEtnaThese characters would go from house to house with a skewer, asking the inhabitants to skewer food on it. The town has its own typical carnival mask, called "u laddaroro”, a dialect term meaning dirty, in relation to the appearance of these men who, with their faces dirty with soot, sang: “Either make me laddaroru, or you'll ziccu this cagnoru!”, to get something to eat as a gift.
Belpasso: A Carnival Celebrating Dialect Poetry
Carnival celebrated in belpasso It included various and distinct celebratory moments.
It began with the recital of the local dialect poets, which was accompanied by a parade of masked groups, mostly made up of the city's cultural associations, and concluded with good live music and dancing in the square. As we know, the town boasts an excellent tradition of chariots.
The sweetest carnival in Sicily in Biancavilla
The country of Biancavilla, for years, it was the capital of the "sweetest Carnival in Sicily", an event that every time attracted gourmands from all over the Etna province who could enjoy free tastings of chiacchiere and other typical Carnival delicacies and local sweets, displayed at the stands in the historic center. The event represented a delicious alternative: in addition to the traditional allegorical floats and masked parades, in fact, the carnival of the Etna town also offered a journey into the local pastry tradition.
Carnival in Catania at Villa Bellini
Carnival has always been a very popular event in the city too. In the past, the major theaters organized masquerade parties inside them with rich prizes for the most beautiful masks. Among the theaters, the Comunale and the Massimo stood out, where balls and "parè masquè" were organized, frequented by the Catania "in". For those who could not afford to go to the theater, there were the evenings in the square animated by the bands of the nearby villages. But when we talk about Carnival we cannot help but think of the Villa Bellini, symbolic place of this celebration, which for generations has welcomed masked children, accompanied by their parents, ready to socialize even if there are no longer the ducks, the swan fountain, the horse, thelittle elephant Tony, the little train, the Chinese house, and the characteristic characters. Tradition dictates that the Carnival days are spent there. Parades and parades have been organized over the years.
Let's rediscover the historical carnivals
These events not only served to brighten up the evenings and days leading up to Lent, but also had a clear social and cultural impact, as well as promoting the area and its activities.
We need to reinvent the spirit of those many carnivals long gone. The excitement and wonder of seeing those extraordinary stage machines is missing. We need to reconnect with artisans and artists who know how to set up a float, a costumed group, or a flower-filled machine. And why not, dust off, with the necessary safety measures, the domino and of dances in the square.
Cover photo: Acireale Carnival Foundation
