They start from the hangars at Citadella del Carnevale and parade along the whole seafront of the main town of Versilia. Floats made of papier-mache for the Carnival of Viareggio, the most spectacular in Tuscany, one of the most famous in Europe and in the world.
From papier-mache to fiberglass, "recovering " the experiences of Viareggio's shipwrights, the artisans perform with their huge creations animated by a team of 20-30 people, large masked groups consisting of an average of 200 elements and a band with a minimum of 10 musicians. They all put themselves out to win the prizes awarded by the Carnival Foundation.
From the seventies onwards, the dominant theme of the allegorical contructions has been the political satire, flanked by fantastic themes. The two categories of floats in the competition, the group-masks and the isolated masks, these last ones usually made by young emerging artists, challange also through phantasy and satyre. In the evening the party continues: in the streets of the districts and in the town clubs all masks are welcome. Here is played cheerful music and you can dance until late at night.
Last but not least there are many parallel programs in which the real nature of Viareggio stands out: The " Festival of Canzonetta" and the "Festival of Burlamacco" to mention only few.
Viareggio, seafront
2016 February 7/14/21/28, h. 3.00 pm, March 5th h. 6.30 pm.
Tickets: regular euro 18,00; reductions for children until 14 years, senior over 65, groups and military forces.
Joint tickets: regular euro 27,00; reductions euro 20,00.
Absolutely not to be missed are the three spectacular fireworks on February 7, 14 and on March 5.
Viareggio, seafront
2016 February 7/14/21/28, h. 3.00 pm, March 5th h. 6.30 pm.
Tickets: regular euro 18,00; reductions for children until 14 years, senior over 65, groups and military forces.
Joint tickets: regular euro 27,00; reductions euro 20,00.
Information:
District:
Piana di Lucca
Municipality:
Lucca
Event type:
music|cinema|tradition-religion|other