The “Bacanal del Gnoco”, the Verona’s Carnival

Author: Serena

- On February-

Every year in Verona there is the Carnival feast called “Bacanal del gnoco” whose origins are connected to ancient religions.

The Verona’s Carnival poster

All the masks are elected by the local inhabitants and by those of the surrounding towns. The most important character is “Papà del gnoco” (the “dumpling’s father“) representing an old bearded “king” wearing a hat carrying as his sceptre a big fork supporting a giant dumpling.

The “Papà del gnoco” mask

The other famous masks are the Duca della Pignata, the Dio de l’Oro, the Re Teodorico della Cadrega, the Simeon de l’Isolo, the Principe Reboano, the Duca della Seola, the Conte Nogarola, the Mastro Sogar, the Re del Goto, the Conte Polenton and the Conte Caramela.

Celebrations last several days and on the Friday before the beginning of Lent there is the famous parade made up by 4000 masks accompaigned by allegorical floats, bands and majorettes.