Something about its history…

Viareggio Carnival was established in 1873 when some of the local "signori" decided to organize a Sunday a little different from the rest, by inventing a procession of decorated floats which travelled up and down the main streets of the city. On that occasion a masked protest was also organized by a number of citizens, as they were forced to pay too many taxes and as a result the chief tax collector was certainly made fun of! The parade was liked a lot not only by the patrons but also by the citizens and the idea of making floats that interpreted humour and dissatisfaction of the people came about in that year.

What is Burlamacco?

"Burlamacco", the symbol of the Carnival of Viareggio, is a mask the painter Uberto Bonetti conceived and created in 1931. It is a sort of clown that embraces all the characteristics of some of the most famous masks of the Italian "Commedia dell'Arte": the patched clothes of Arlecchino, the pompom hat of Pierrot, the cloak of Balanzone and a hat that recalls Rugantino’s.

Viareggio Carnival is 135 years old and is doubtless the most famous carnivalesque event in Italy, and one of the most important of Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands visitors from all over the world.Every year it celebrates the splendour of a whole month of night and day celebrations, with floats, parades, district celebrations, masked dances and shows of every kind.

The 2008 Viareggio Carnival is a celebration in the name of peace, love and solidarity. The stars of these spectacular shows will once again be the huge paper machè floats and puppets.Every masquerade will be composed of 8 paper machè elements. The parade will also include folkloristic bands and performers from all over the world.The biggest floats will carry about 200 people in costume, who will dance and throw confetti and candies.