2011-03-08
Putignano Carnival
The Putignano Carnival, with its famous parade of papier-mâché floats, is both the longest and one of the oldest carnivals in the world. However, interestingly the floats all carry contemporary social or political messages so this is no medieval procession.
Some researchers have found records dating the event back to 26
December, 1394. Its fame as the world's longest carnival derives from
the fact that like all such events it ends on Shrove Tuesday, but this
one starts in December/January, with the multi-centennial tradition of
the Propaggini, and there is also a summer edition taking place in July.
The Propaggini
involves the transfer of St Stefan Protomartyre's Holy Relics from
Monopoli to Putignano, which originally involved local farmers dancing,
singing and reciting rhymes during the procession, hence the beginning
of the carnival! In the last ten years, thanks to the enormous floats,
the original satirical masks and the colourful masked groups, the parade
has been the principle attraction of this extraordinary event.
The figure that represents the Carnival is the Farinella.
Its costume is made of multicoloured patches with bells sewn on the
three tips of the hat and other bells on the shoes and collar.
When: 13 Feb - 8 Mar 2011; Sun only
Where: Putignano, Italy
From: whatsonwhen.com
last modification: 2011-02-04
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