Foiano Carnevale
The Carnival of Foiano della Chiana is a carnival event held yearly in the Tuscan city of Foiano della Chiana, in Tuscany, Italy. It is one of the most famous carnivals in Italy, possibly the oldest, starting in 1539.
This carnival takes all year to prepare for, and it’s as important to Foiano as the Palio is to Siena. The festival is derived from medieval rituals meant to appease the townspeople and create a joyous atmosphere to bring in the new year.
The population of Foiano is subdivided into four cantieri (districts). The cantieri compete in making the floats. Initially, the floats were town carriages, chestnuts and salt cod would be thrown out to the crowd as a treat. The floats are now made of papier-mâché and they have allegorical or political subjects, sometimes featuring political or actuality events, famous people or popular culture.
The floats are judged by a jury, composed by a sculptor, a painter, a journalist, a scenographer and an art critic. The Cantiere that made the most voted float wins the "Coppa del Carnevale" (Carnival Cup).
An effigy of Giocondo, King of the Carnival is made from straw and rags, and is burned in the main square as a form of collective purification for the people of Foiano. Before the burning, a testament of the year’s events is read aloud like an epilogue for the past year and a prologue to the new starting year.
The parade of floats in Foiano is presented on several Sundays preceding Lent. It is an all day, family event in this small town. At 10AM the floats are moved from their storage areas thru the towns streets and piazze for everyone to see. Then at 3PM they are paraded in front of the judging balcony, each preceded by an entourage performing and acting out the theme of their cantieri float. Finally around 6PM the floats are once again positioned in different piazze for a last viewing with their colored lights and music for all to enjoy.
Read MoreThis carnival takes all year to prepare for, and it’s as important to Foiano as the Palio is to Siena. The festival is derived from medieval rituals meant to appease the townspeople and create a joyous atmosphere to bring in the new year.
The population of Foiano is subdivided into four cantieri (districts). The cantieri compete in making the floats. Initially, the floats were town carriages, chestnuts and salt cod would be thrown out to the crowd as a treat. The floats are now made of papier-mâché and they have allegorical or political subjects, sometimes featuring political or actuality events, famous people or popular culture.
The floats are judged by a jury, composed by a sculptor, a painter, a journalist, a scenographer and an art critic. The Cantiere that made the most voted float wins the "Coppa del Carnevale" (Carnival Cup).
An effigy of Giocondo, King of the Carnival is made from straw and rags, and is burned in the main square as a form of collective purification for the people of Foiano. Before the burning, a testament of the year’s events is read aloud like an epilogue for the past year and a prologue to the new starting year.
The parade of floats in Foiano is presented on several Sundays preceding Lent. It is an all day, family event in this small town. At 10AM the floats are moved from their storage areas thru the towns streets and piazze for everyone to see. Then at 3PM they are paraded in front of the judging balcony, each preceded by an entourage performing and acting out the theme of their cantieri float. Finally around 6PM the floats are once again positioned in different piazze for a last viewing with their colored lights and music for all to enjoy.
