Carnival in Viareggio

It doesn’t have the samba or the hot summer heat of Carnival in Rio De Janeiro but in terms of color, costume and individuality, Viareggio’s “Carnevale” has nothing to envy.

Every Mardi Gras thousands of people from all over the world gather along the seafront promenade to see the spectacular parade of floats.

It all began on Mardi Gras in 1873 when many of the city’s families gathered at the casino café decided to celebrate Carnival with a parade of elaborately decorated carriages along the Via Regia. With time, the parade moved to the seafront promenade and in 1921 the official anthem “Champagne Cup” was added to kick off the festivities, along with the official magazine for the event, “Viareggio in Maschera.” 1925 was a big turning point for the parade, when the first carts were made using cardboard which was much lighter than the wood, canary seed and jute of the prior floats. Then in 1930, Burlamacco, the official mascot for Viareggio’s “Carnevale” was born, designed by the futurist painter, Uberto Bonetti; this new man with a mask joined the bevy of masked Italian characters. Burlamacco with his harlequin suit and dramatic mask represents the two souls of the city: summer with the red and white beach umbrellas, and Carnival. In 1954 RAI broadcast the first Carnival parade on TV, consecrating the event, and introducing it to a wider audience. In 2001 the city built the massive Cittadella del Carnevale complex, like its cousin the “Sambodromo.” It is here, in the 16 grand warehouses and large central courtyard where the “papier – mâché Masters” build their creative masterpieces.

Viareggio’s Carnevale isn’t just a frivolous event, but a real litmus test of society and the Italian (and world) political situation, with many of the floats displaying clear political messages based on contemporary world events. The notoriety of the parade has grown such that the offense for a politician has become the absence, rather than the presence, of his caricature on the famous carts.

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