1. A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale.

2.  Before Christian period of La Quaresima (Lent), 40 days before Pasqua (Easter)  Carne = meat, vale = farewell  Mardi Gras = Martedì Grasso  Can be any date from 3 febbraio – 9 marzo  9 febbraio 2016  Across Italia, it is a time for great celebration!

3.  Children dress up as they do for Halloween in the USA. Costumes are festive and bright.

4.  Pulcinella  Arlecchino Pantalone Colombina Commedia dell'Arte

6.  Parade with elaborate floats of flowers or paper mache’ – allegorical, often satirical of current events or people  Making of the floats in Viareggio Making of the floats in Viareggio Burlamacco

9.  La Battaglia delle Arance  Dates back to middle ages and celebrates the revolt against the duke of then Holy Roman Emperor. Violetta, a young newly-married woman refused to be the emperor’s lover. The townspeople then took up arms and revolted against the mistreatment and abuse.  Nine teams divided up by neighborhood  Winners determined by a judging panel  Battaglia delle Arance Battaglia delle Arance

10.  The most famous of the Carnevale festivals in Italy  Elaborate masks and costumes  Masquerade balls

11. Bauta Colombina Medico della peste (The Plague Doctor) Moretta / Servetta muta Volto (Larva) Le Maschere

12. Carnevale di Venezia