Carnavale

Carnavale is a term used to describe the festive season preceding Lent in various Italian-speaking communities, and more broadly as a variant spelling of Carnevale. The word derives from the Italian carnevale, from Latin carnem vale, meaning “farewell to meat” or “goodbye to meat,” in reference to the fasting period that follows.

Historically, Carnavale emerged in medieval Europe as a time of revelry, social inversion, and public celebration before the penitential season of Lent. Over time, it incorporated masquerade, theater, music, and street performances, becoming a major cultural and social event in many towns and cities.

Common features include masked celebrations, parades, processions, and public entertainments. Food plays a prominent role in many celebrations, with regional specialties such as fried pastries, sweets, and other festive treats associated with the season. The use of masks and costumes varies by locality, ranging from elaborate traditional masks to more humorous disguises.

Regional variations are widespread. The Venice Carnival is especially renowned for its ornate masks and historical costumes, while other towns host floats, performances, and street theater that reflect local traditions and histories. In some areas, carnival cycles through weeks of events, culminating on the day before Lent, known as Shrove Tuesday or a similar feast day.

In contemporary usage, Carnavale or Carnevale often denotes local celebrations, cultural festivals, or artistic productions inspired by carnival traditions. The term is also employed in the names of organizations, publications, and works of art that draw on carnival imagery and themes.