Carnivale in Viareggio
One of the great highlights of the year, for me, is the carnival in Viareggio - one of Italy's biggest and best. So last Sunday (my next to last day in Italy for a while) we headed down to the city. It's a family party and a great chance for some dressing up and dancing in the street.
The floats are always awe-inspiring in terms of their size and complexity - some bigger than the buildings on either side of the street - and there's always a strong political message.Some floats are just plain whacky!
But the costumes are always fantastic. I loved Neptune's attendants.
This year, pop music was quite prominent, with homages to both Freddie Mercury and John Lennon.
This was one of my favourite floats - a gigantic insect, lit up from within, with moving head and legs - like something from War of the Worlds.
There was a strong environmental message - a First Nation American float featured endangered animals and butterflies -
and there were several that also highlighted the precarious economic situation. The figures of Poverty and Famine were stalking the parades, particularly on this float - The Last Beach
and I found this wonderful money pig having a rest on a pile of skulls beside the route.
Elsewhere, the message seemed to be that the world is being run by clowns - many of them with tanks and bazookas.
As always, it's the people along the route that catch my eye. This innocent little boy sprayed me with silly string!
And I loved this Pirate family - he could certainly give Johnny Depp a bit of competition!
The carnival route is along the promenade which runs parallel to the beach. What better way to end the day than a walk along the edge of the sea. And a great place to cool off tired feet!
The floats are always awe-inspiring in terms of their size and complexity - some bigger than the buildings on either side of the street - and there's always a strong political message.Some floats are just plain whacky!
Or even scary!!
But the costumes are always fantastic. I loved Neptune's attendants.
This year, pop music was quite prominent, with homages to both Freddie Mercury and John Lennon.
This was one of my favourite floats - a gigantic insect, lit up from within, with moving head and legs - like something from War of the Worlds.
There was a strong environmental message - a First Nation American float featured endangered animals and butterflies -
and there were several that also highlighted the precarious economic situation. The figures of Poverty and Famine were stalking the parades, particularly on this float - The Last Beach
and I found this wonderful money pig having a rest on a pile of skulls beside the route.
Elsewhere, the message seemed to be that the world is being run by clowns - many of them with tanks and bazookas.
As always, it's the people along the route that catch my eye. This innocent little boy sprayed me with silly string!
And I loved this Pirate family - he could certainly give Johnny Depp a bit of competition!
The carnival route is along the promenade which runs parallel to the beach. What better way to end the day than a walk along the edge of the sea. And a great place to cool off tired feet!
What a fantastic experience! A feast of sights and sounds.
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