The word “Carnevale” means “farewell to meat” and, in the Christian calendar is the last time to have a real binge before the forty days of lent austerity. All over Italy this event is celebrated with colourful processions, events and costumes. Those who have been to the carnivals of Viareggio and Venice will know what it’s like!

The Carnevale has returned to Bagni di Lucca comune in a big way in the last few years.Created and organised by Mammalucco association founder Marco Nicoli, it’s definitely here to stay!

I’ve already posted accounts of previous Fornoli Carnevali at:

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/03/11/from-carnevale-to-pasqua/

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/il-carnevale-di-fornoli/

Also very enjoyable is the smaller Bagni di Lucca carnival which I’ve written about at:

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/02/08/villas-carnival/

Fornoli carnival’s big feature is the competition (for a euros 500 prize) between local schools for the best presentation on a given theme which, this year, was the cinema with the title ‘ciak si gira!! ‘. (Ciak is Italian for clapperboard and the phrase means ‘action’). The winning school receives the “Mammalucco Flag”.

There were seven entries; the scuola materna (nursery school) at Ponte entered for the first time this year with ‘101 Dalmatians.’(Spot Cruella?).

 

 

Other entries included ‘Pinocchio’, ‘Mary Poppins’, Chaplin’s ‘The Circus’ and ‘Little Red Riding Hood’.  As traditional, the ribbon, starting the procession crossing Nottolini’s Chain Bridge, was cut by the mayors of Bagni di Lucca and Borgo a Mozzano.

 

 

Here is a kaleidoscope of images from the carnival:

 

 

Our Mammalucco, alias presenter, was Maurizio of our essential computer shop and, as usual, the indefatigable Marco organised the whole event to a T.

 

 

I was part of the jury and the winners were judged to be San Cassiano Infant school with their ‘Red Riding Hood’. I feel this was the right choice, especially as the school is threatened with closure under new plans. I hope their win will give them added morale…

 

 

Of course, all those who contributed to the carnival’s success should be rewarded and what was so extraordinary was the teachers and pupils’ inventiveness in creating brilliant  mis-en-scenes with discarded materials and their skill in producing really effective creations.

Entertainment, colours and joy permeated other events, such as the Banda Bassotti street band, the Bagni di Lucca Red Cross masked group, the Scout troop,  the Participation and Development Association ethnic group and much more.

 

 

Accompanying the festivities were stalls selling food and handicraft. The day was glorious with spring-like sunshine and everyone there truly enjoyed the event.

 

 

It’s these carnival events that bring everyone together, whatever their age and interests Ever more today in continuing crisis-ridden Italy some form of solidarity is needed between folk rather than a return to individuals and thinking “I’m all right Jack”.

Long may the Fornoli carnival continue from year to year and long may the organisers receive every support from the people of Bagni di Lucca.