Italy is alive with vibrant energy as citizens prepare to celebrate Giovedì Grasso, the pinnacle of the Carnival season. Streets and squares transform, becoming stages for joyous revelries. Attendees don extravagant costumes and mysterious masks, ready to indulge in pure merriment. Tables overflow with delectable treats like frittelle and chiacchiere, paying homage to flavors before the commencement of Lent. Costume parades paint the towns, as floats depict fantastic scenes amid showers of confetti and streamers.
Today's Giovedì Grasso festival, especially significant this year on February 27, 2025, marks the official start of Carnival celebrations across Italy. While many regions share this festive spirit, Savona adds its unique twist. Here, the festivities kick off with the arrival of 'Cicciolin,' the Carnival king, who enters from the sea at Torretta, symbolizing the start of weeks of jubilation. This year's arrival was on January 19, marking the longstanding tradition first initiated on January 24, 1953. People gather en masse to welcome Cicciolin, continue through the local streets, and ceremonially hand over the keys of the city.
Though the entire Carnival season is filled with excitement, the defining moments occur this week, culminating on Martedì Grasso. Following this joyful crescendo, Ash Wednesday prompts reflection and the onset of the penitential season. Yet, in Savona, the festivities extend to March 9 with the Pentolaccia ceremony, where Cicciolin returns to the sea and promises to do so again next year.
The traditions running deep within the Italian Carnival reflect centuries of history and community. Giovedì Grasso excites the palate for its indulgence, marking the moment when rich foods become staples. Locally, the delights include bugie, or chiacchiere, sweet pastries filling the city's bakeries and street markets. Lavishly decorated floats, works of local volunteers and schools, parade through Savona showcasing themes often laced with social and political satire.
Meanwhile, other Italian cities join the festive chorus. Ruvo di Puglia will host the lively event known as 'U Kalzàunə də Rìuvə' from 5 PM to 9 PM today. The Piazza Matteotti becomes alive with performances, tastings, and the presentation of its emblematic mask, Mbà Biôse. This celebration embodies the playful spirit of Carnival, featuring dialect sketches, music, and theatrical performances, transforming the city square reminiscent of an outdoor stage.
Another highlight includes the traditional calzone with sponsali – renown for its rich taste stemming from local ingredients like onions, black olives, and anchovies wrapped inside puff pastry. This beloved dish will be celebrated with tastings hosted by Eat Ruvo di Puglia, among others. This celebration continues even from previous years, where the community united to create monumental calzones, setting records and demonstrating their deep culinary roots.
Across Sardinia, the tone shifts slightly, celebrating the day with local traditions centered around food, particularly the dish 'fave e lardo.' This simple yet flavorful dish is emblematic of Sardinian peasant cuisine, intertwining their deep cultural legacy with the joyous essence of Carnival. With communal gatherings, local music, and lively dancing, Sardinia aptly encapsulates Giovedì Grasso's festive essence.
Celebrations also cluster within the Trentino region, where towns are brimming with events from the early afternoon onward. Bezzecca treats its attendees to gnocchi di Carnevale, Sarche serves pasta al ragù alongside vin brûlé, and kids revel at animations and exciting parades. The festivities accommodate all ages, with planned DJ sets and special events for children, particularly aimed at commemorations of their Carnival.
The collective spirit of Giovedì Grasso sweeps across Italy, merging community bonding with cultural appreciation. A deep-rooted acknowledgment of longstanding traditions prompts Italians to set aside the normalcy of daily life for these pure expressions of joy and festivity. It is these elements - vibrant costumes, delicious foods, and community engagement - where the essence of Carnival finds its heart.
Giovedì Grasso serves as both a jubilant farewell to indulgence before the solemnity of Lent and as a celebration of heritage, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated days across the nation. With every gathering, every laugh, and every festive morsel shared, Italy reenacts its commitment to liveliness, culture, and community bonds, underscoring the art of celebration ingrained within its rich history.