Carnival (often spelled Carnaval) is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February. Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party.
People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life. In Germany and the Netherlands, the Carnival season is traditionally opened on 11/11 (often at 11:11 a.m.). This dates back to celebrations before the former longer Advent season (40 days now reduced to about four weeks), or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin’s Day.
The Lenten period of the Liturgical year Church calendar, being the six weeks directly before Easter, was marked by fasting and other pious or penitential practices. Traditionally during Lent, no parties or other celebrations were held, and people refrained from eating rich foods, such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar.
The word carnival, comes from the Latin carnem levare, an expression used in the middle ages which marked the beginning of the Lenten fast- a time of the year during which one was not allowed to eat meat (carne in Latin).
But like many other festivals, it derives from an ancient Roman cult the Saturnalia, a pagan rites of fertility which were celebrated in honour of the god Saturn. During those celebrations everything was allowed, even disguising and change of rules. Carnivals were modified substantially because of its magic and ritual nature with Christianity, but it still was tolerated by the clergy. During the 15th and 16th century some traditions were recaptured and the use of masks spread over much of the area.
Carnevale over the years in Barga can be seen here
Sentite anche voi questo profumo di Carnevale?
Sabato 26 febbraio gran festa di Carnevale al #caffecapretz .Cena col nostro menu alla carta, piatti speciali, dj set con DJ OHM 🎧 venite mascherati come più vi piace: per la maschera più bella ci sarà in serbo una sorpresa.
