Carnival is the time for jokes and tricks, for fun and dressing up in costume when it seems anything goes and it is especially a celebration for children. In 2017, for three weeks, everyone can put on a mask and sound the trumpets until the final day, 28/02, Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday. According to the Christian calendar, ever since the Middle Ages, Carnival has been celebrated with the enjoyment of food and drink right up until the beginning of Lent – the 40 days before Easter – when restraint and fasting are in order.
In Italy, every region has its own Carnival. The more famous ones are known worldwide such as the Venice Carnival distinguished by the elegance and artistic prestige of its masks or the Viareggio Carnival, begun in 1837, with its characteristic allegorical carts decorated in rich detail.
Even in Umbria, every city and every little village has its own carnival. In Perugia, one event follows another, from workshops to create masks to a photography exhibit of ancient and modern masks to a masquerade party for children. You can, of course, join the processions of carts in towns such as Spoleto, Gubbio and Marsciano.
Apart from confetti, makeup, masks, trumpets and shooting stars, there are also Carnival sweets. One of them, “le chiacchiere”, appeared first in ancient Rome to then spread throughout Italy under different names: in Umbria, they became ‘le frappe’, in Tuscany ‘i cenci’, in Liguria ‘le bugie’.
Whatever you call them, at Carnival they are not to be missed!!!
For further information:
http://www.umbriaeventi.com/carnevale_umbria.htm
http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/
http://viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
http://ricette.giallozafferano.it/Chiacchiere.html