ITALIAN CARNIVAL IN SCHIGNANO LAKE COMO

Carnival season in Italy, is very lively and culturally rich moment. It is a period of the year that takes place between the end of January and the beginning of March every year, depends on the calendar, and typically include parades, masked balls, and various performances. 

In this article I would like to tell you about a small village with an ancient tradition and craft handed down through generations, expressed through a carnival which has remained an authentic and very fun event.

Schignano it’s a small mountain village in the Intelvi Valley, which is a beautiful territory overlooking on one site Lake Como Italy and on the other side Lake Lugano in Switzerland.  It is famous for its unique carnival tradition featuring traditional wooden masks. These masks are characterized by large, hooked noses and are worn with colorful costumes during the carnival festivities. The masks play a role in the village's historical and cultural celebrations, contributing to the lively and festive atmosphere of the event. 

The carnival in Schignano is deeply rooted in local traditions and is a captivating experience for those interested in authentic Italian folklore.

Let’s start by naming the protagonist of this carnival show:

The Ugly ones - I Brut

They represent the humble field workers, the bricklayers, the breeders, and above all the emigrants who set out in search of fortune and bring with them an old and worn suitcase containing the tools of the trade. The Brut covers his face with a hand-carved wooden mask, often harsh in features or at least sad. This character, like all the others at the Schignano carnival with the exception of Ciocia, once he puts on the mask, does not speak until the end of the parade.

The Beautiful ones - i Belli or Mascarun

They represent those who left, emigrated in search of fortune and succeeded in their aim. The Beautiful is therefore the emblem of pomp, grandeur and splendor, power and arrogance, vanity and well-being. Everything about his lavish costume describes the character. He moves in such an imposing and detached way, he is the superior, the rich, and he has returned to the village to show off his acquired wealth.

Sapeur and Sigurtà

This ancient mask is perhaps the most mysterious and the most pristine. It closely resembles the outposts of Napoleonic armies, but the archaic origin in close contact with nature strongly emerges from the figure of the Sapeur, due to the fact that they were completely covered in sheepskin. For this reason, they could represent the peasant or forest authorities.

La Ciocia

She is the only speaking character of the Schignano carnival, Mascarun's wife-servant, petulant and polemical, a funny caricature of the women of the past. Absolutely represented by a man with a face dirty with soot, traditional clothes and wooden clogs, she wanders among those present complaining about her husband's oppression. Ciocia represents the servile condition of women of the past.

The Carlisep

It is the embodiment of carnival, the puppet symbol of the festival is hung in Piazza San Giovanni, the center of the event, and remains there to symbolize the carnival period until the afternoon of Shrove Tuesday. The mask worn by Carlisep is the same one that has been preserved for years and is therefore a witness to who knows how many carnivals.

And so, all of the Masks participate in a theatrical game, which takes place in the mountain village of Schignano, involving all citizens and visitors. 

Wherever you decide to go, from the main square to the small bar in the village, you will find our masked protagonists, and it may happen that you find yourself persecuted and a little teased by the Mask of the Ugly Ones, or be enchanted by the showy and colorful clothes of the Beautiful Ones. It's a showtime! And, in any case, you wouldn't have much choice and way to escape, and you would definitely be involved in this beautiful historical spectacle - the Carnival of Schignano.

I truly appreciated the people of this valley, for their simplicity and authenticity. And, if I have to be honest, I hope that this place manages to maintain its charm as it is, and its inhabitants happy to live there.

However, I would like to give you a few warnings, if you are a little squeamish or prefer to be left alone, perhaps it is not the most suitable event for you, but it is certainly an authentic and lively event.

Now I'll let you decide in peace if you come too, instead I'm going to prepare my costume for the 2024 edition of the Carnival, which will be held the weekend of 10 - 11 of February, and finish on 13th. - the Shrove Tuesday!

Maybe I'll see you there, who knows...

If not, you can go and watch my YouTube video of the Carnival of Schignano and then write to me what you think and if you had fun.

You can also go visit the Web page or Ig profile of the Carnival and Valle Intelvi, and the talented artisans of the art of wood carving in Schignano, who create these wonderful masks and much more.

Baci baci

Teo