Floats, masks and period costumes are the focus of
February as Europe celebrates the festive period before the start of Lent,
forty days fasting and penance, with street parties, parades, masked dances,
and costume balls.
In Italy, carnival traditions are believed to have
started in medieval times. Although the Venice Carnival is one of the country’s
best known, Tuscany also has a long carnival traditional. The carnival season
begins after the Epiphany and runs through to ‘Fat Tuesday’, which falls on
February 24 this year.
Florence comes alive on February 22 with the Worldwide
Mardi Gras Carnival. Floats, costumes and masks will take centre stage as a
parade winds through the city, from Borgo Ognissanti to Piazza della Signoria.
Florence’s international community has been invited to participate.
Two carnival-inspired events are dedicated to children
as well. On February 29, the Carnival Feast at Florence’s Meyer Pediatric
Hospital features a ‘pirate play’. Another event, the Carnival Feast for
Children will be held on February 24 at the Ludoteca Tana dell’Orso.
In the region, Tuscany’s most renowned celebration, the
Carnival of Viareggio, will no doubt entertain the masses once again. Find out
more about it on page 5. See also this issue’s events pages for listings and
details on a host of local and regional Carnival celebrations.
