Carnevale

Carnevale is a festive season celebrated in many countries with Catholic heritage, culminating before the season of Lent. The name derives from Latin carnem levare, meaning “to remove meat,” reflecting traditional restrictions on meat consumption during Lent. While the most famous forms occur in Italy, the term and its spirit appear in various European and American communities, each with local customs and timing.

Historically, Carnevale developed in medieval Europe as a time of feasting, masquerade, and social liberation before the austerity of Lent. Public squares, churches, and theaters hosted masked balls, parades, and performances. Masks (maschere) and elaborate costumes became characteristic, permitting wearers to assume alternate identities and cross social boundaries for a short period.

Today, Carnevale features a range of activities depending on the location. Venice is renowned for its sophisticated masks and ornate outfits, with street processions and masked balls drawing visitors from around the world. Other Italian towns stage large public parades, floats, and theatrical tableaux. In Viareggio, large papier-mâché floats compete in a colorfully spectacular carnival. In Ivrea, some years include the Battle of the Oranges, a historic street event. Beyond Italy, Nice hosts flower-filled parades and revelry, while Brazil’s Carnaval (Carnaval) is a global icon of samba parades and street parties, though it is typically named differently in Portuguese-speaking contexts.

Carnavale celebrations usually occur in February or early March, varying with the liturgical calendar and local customs. They are often family-friendly in some regions and more nightlife-oriented in others, serving as a cultural expression, artistic platform, and economic driver through tourism.