PS 242 Young Diplomats Magnet Academy in Central Harlem experienced a day unlike any other as they welcomed the colorful spirit of the Italian carnival into their halls. Led by Principal Denise Gomez and Vice Principal Ms. Ellman, the school hosted renowned director and performer Simona Rodano, along with Pasqualino Beltempo, Giorgia Picano, Ariann...

February 2024, marked a vibrant celebration of Italian culture as the renowned Italian Carnival journeyed to Suffolk County Community College. The event was hosted by Incanto Productions, a distinguished theatrical company dedicated to authentic creative works for educational purposes. It aimed to promote the country of Italy and foster the learnin...

Venezia and Viareggio are the most famous, but there are other historically significant Carnevali around Italy, Putignano, Cento, and Fano being, perhaps, the names we are more familiar with. We are talking about events with a long history and that, through time, managed to develop a deep and meaningful connection with the territory, often becoming...

Chiacchiere, bugie, frappe, and cenci. No matter the name, they are a similar Carnival snack—thin, deep-fried strips of a liqueur-enriched dough that are tossed in sugar and munched upon during the festivities. In Venice, arguably home to Italy’s most famous Carnival celebration, they’re known as crostoli or galani.  But these aren’t the only sweet...

The term Carnevale stems from the Latin expression carnem levare, which roughly translates to an urging to abstain from eating meat. Indeed, the day after Mardi Gras, the climax of Carnival, marks the beginning of Lent, a period extending until Easter, when one can again indulge freely. Meanwhile, Carnival is celebrated with festivities designed fo...

Carnival season, generally in February, is a great time to visit Italy. During the weeks leading up to Lent, special festivities occur in cities and towns from north to south. Of course, the most famous carnival in Italy is the Carnevale di Venezia, the legendary carnival held in Venice each year. But the town of Cento, in the province of Ferrara i...

Genderless masked demigods in 16th-century ceremonial garb, terrifying feats of horsemanship, bystanders munching on sugary fried treats, and one coveted tiny tin star: This is sa Sartiglia di Oristano, the island of Sardinia’s strangest and most exuberant event of Carnevale season. For more than six centuries, the town of Oristano — located in the...

As Carnevale approaches in the runup to Lent and then Easter, Italy comes alive with festivals in February. In the US the biggest such event is New Orleans’ Mardi Gras, but in Italy many cities have their own versions as they celebrate the last fling before Lent puts an end to fun and self-indulgence, ushering in the reflection and gravity of prepa...

You’ve seen images of it, and perhaps, you’ve been intrigued by it all. The masks and millions of people, the spectacle and overindulgence, but what exactly is Venice Carnival? Let’s get to know this age-old, pre-Lent mega party a little bit better. Exploring the history of Venice Carnival and its curiosities means embarking on a journey into th...

To say that Carnevale has deep historical roots is something shared by most celebrations in Italy, but the traditional costumes and extravagant parades put the Carnival season in a league of its own. The festival comes with a rich history, which is reflected in the impressive public displays that will return to Florence following a four-year pause...