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Viareggio is a famous seaside resort in Versilia, Tuscany, north of Pisa. This small town is also very well known for his traditional Carnival parade, which takes place every Sunday during Carnival and on Fat Tuesday, the last day before the Lent, with a procession of allegorical floats. The floats are manufactured by great craftmen, who are master of papier-mâche modelling, and feature satyric interpretations of the most recent national and international events. Politicians, as well as artists and sportsmen, are often recognizable in the characters on the floats. The floats are in friendly competition for several cups.

In the pictures listed above (from the 2000 Carnival parade), the different masks have several symbolic and satyrical purposes. One can recognize the present Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi (#6) and the actor Roberto Benigni (#7), author of the Oscar winning movie “La vita è bella” (Life is beutiful)

The Carnival of Viareggio is the most famous, but it is not unique. Carnival parades of allegorical floats are organized in many Italian towns, among which Fano, a small town near Ancona, and Cento, a town close to Bologna.

Please click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures and visit www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com to learn more.