LONG LIVE CARNIVAL

Carnival: though its etymology refers to the "removing of meat" with a view to Lent restraints, it is known as a somewhat pagan as well as Christian opportunity for masking, parades, dances and songs, confetti and sweets. In Italy the mind immediately goes to Venice, Viareggio, Ivrea ...

Italian traditional masks for Carnival

A famous song cites Arlecchino (Bergamo), Pulcinella (Naples), Balanzone (Bologna), Colombina (Venice) ... Masks were originally the means by which the "chosen ones" could get in touch with the spirits.

Regional menus have obviously always complied with the party spirit. They still include treats such as fried desserts - cicerchiate, berlingozzi, castagnole, frappe, schiacciate, castagnacci, milecci, zeppole, arancini, caragnoli. –, black pudding, and pasta.

Sweet pastry fritters

Carnival in Liguria

Liguria features celebrations in Albenga, Ameglia, Cairo Montenotte, Carcare, Celle Ligure, Diano Marina, Genoa, La Spezia, Loano, Moneglia, Noli, Pieve di Teco, Riomaggiore, Rocchetta Vara, Sanremo, Savona, Sestri Levante, Spotorno, Ventimiglia ...

With the lively company of Captain Spaventa (or Fracassa); Baciccia della Radiccia with trustworthy Barudda; King Cicciulìn; Becciancìn; Nuvarìn der Casté; Bacì the Inciaštru; Batiston and his wife Maià. All allegorical characters.

Genoa, in addition to Captain Spaventa, boasted a variety of other characters, the doctor, the nobleman, the nurse ... last but not least, o scio Reginn-a (Francesco Capanna, a real 18th century character), arriving from the west with top hat, who earned his living entertaining the patrons of the taverns. Once a rich man, he pretended to be dumb: according to traditions, on Pentecost 1792, falling from the stairs of a tavern. Severely injured, he died the following day at the hospital of Pammatone.

The Superba Carnival menu included ravioli, pork chops, cheeses, (sweet ravioli), meringues, fresh fruit, and generous red wines ...

Merry Carnival, Dear Reader, and ... happy Lent!

My English abstract of the article by Umberto Curti as published on Liguria Food 

Luisa Puppo

This is the fascinating world of tastes and crafts that LiguriabyLuisa discloses to foreign markets and buyers (tour operators, travel agencies, organizations, associations, food&wine dealers and import/export professionals....).

Would you like to know more? Contact me and detail your queries.