THE%20CARNIVAL%20OF%20VIAREGGIO

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THE CARNIVAL OF VIAREGGIO
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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.

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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 Rugantinos.

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• 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.

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• 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.