Carnevale in Varese

February 25, 2007

Carnevale in Italy reminds me of a cross between Halloween and New Year's. It reminds me of Halloween because all the kids (and a few of the adults) dress up in costumes. It reminds me of New Year's because everyone throws confetti and blows horns. The big Carnevale festivities happen in our area of Italy on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent. This is different from everywhere else where Carnevale is normally celebrated on the Tuesday before the first Sunday of Lent (Fat or Shrove Tuesday). This is because the Archdiocese of Milan follows the Ambrosian Rite whereas everywhere else follows the Roman Rite.

The Carnevale parade in Varese was yesterday in the Varese centro (downtown). We took Wren dressed up as what else - a bunny! I hope you enjoy our pictures.


Wren as a pink bunny


The crowd at Piazza Grappa


A pirate float


duh na nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh Batman!


Whale float - he spouted confetti out of his blow hole!


Indians are not politically incorrect here


Bunny close up