The Offida historical Carnival

The Offida Carnival’s origins are lost in the past. They go back to the religious feasts of ancient populations celebrating the new year and the beginning of spring for propitiatory purposes. This Carnival follows every year the same calendar established by tradition. Its official opening is on 17^th January, St. Anthony’s Day. The last two Sundays are devoted to friends and relatives, while Saturdays are animated by joyful night-long parties hold within Serpente Aureo Theatre. Among the unmissable events there is Lu Bov Fint (the fake ox) and the extraordinary parade of Vlurd which, taking place the last day, represents the end of Carnival. Local people and worldwide visitors come to Offida Carnival not to passively admire elegant float parades but to get completely involved in a real folk feast where, apart from rules and social conventions, enjoyment is compulsory, as if everyone was an actor whose symbolic performances unfold the most vital and instinctive forces. The most typical mask is the guazzarò, a white linen tunic to be worn with a red neckerchief. A very important role is played by the so-called congregations or masked groups which enliven local carnival with their brass bands and which are called after the following names: The Ciorpento (dialect name for snake), the Civet, the Mangosta, the Tyroleans, the Hook, the Red Berets, the Cage, the Marry Nobility, the Bears and the Ptona (dialect name for drunkenness).