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Carnival is a festive season which occurs before

Lent. The main events are usually during

February.

Carnival is traditionally held in Catholic areas.Protestant areas usually do not have carnival celebrations. Traditionally during Lent, no parties or others celebrations were held, and people refrained from eating meat, fats and sugar.In the days before Lent you could eat rich food. This is thought to be the origin of Carnival.

Etymology The origin of the name “Carnival” is disputed. Some say that the word comes from a Latinexpression “Carne vale”, which means “Farewell to meat”. So those were the last days one could eat meat before Lent.

Some of the best known traditions, including carnival parades and masquerade ball, were first recorded in Medieval Italy. The Carnival of Venice, Viareggio and Ivrea are the most famous carnivals of Italy.

A central feature of the Carnival in Venice is the wearing of masks.

The Carnival of Viareggio is characterised by itsparade of floats and masks caricaturizing popular figures.

The Carnival of Ivrea is famous for its battle

of the oranges.

Harlequin

Among the Italian carnival characters he is the best known, the nicest and the most popular. He wears special brightly coloured clothes with a diamond pattern.He is odd and reckless.

ColumbineShe is the best known female character in traditional Italian theatre.She is Harlequin’s girlfriend.She is a servant.She is very vain and pretty and she is always attractive and neat.She is clever and lively.

PulcinellaPulcinella

He is sometimes Harlequin’s rival.He is symbol of Naples and its people.He is generous and clever.He is optimistic and he wants to fight against the adversities of life.

In the U.K, West Indian immigrants brought with them the traditions of Caribbean carnival. The Notting Hill Carnival Notting Hill Carnival in London is a secular event and takes place in summer months.

Other areas have developed their own traditions.

The Notting Hill Carnival welcomes tourists and other visitors and has as its motto “EVERY SPECTATOR IS A PARTICIPANT”.

Notting Hill Carnival encourages artists to celebrate the cultural traditions through art, dance and music media. There are hundreds of street stalls selling exotic food as well as arts and crafts.

Progetto Intercultura :incontri culturali tra l’Italia e il Regno Unito

Presentazione Power Point:Paola IorioAssistente di lingua inglese: Rebecca Scutt

Anno scolastico 2012-13