New episode – Magic at the Carnevale: Artisans of Viareggio
Our latest episode is out now
Listen to Magic at the Carnevale: Artisans of Viareggio
Laugh Pagliaccio, a float by the Lebigre family. Photo: Linda Nari
Carnevale originated in pagan rituals celebrating winter turning to spring. For Christians it offers a brief hiatus before the rigours of Lent – hence the name ‘carnem levare’ – which means ‘to take away meat’. This is a time to create chaos, to question and poke fun at authority and, for the artisans of Viareggio, the opportunity to say something meaningful to the public and get them involved.
La Cittadella del Carnevale, just outside Viareggio, is a circular complex with 16 hangar-like warehouses and a museum. It’s here that we meet some of the artisans whose dizzying array of skills include design, art, modelling, mechanics, puppetry, welding, choreography and scenography. However, as in a circus, everyone has to do a bit of everything.
Libero Maggini with two of his Anglicani
Episode 45 – Magic at the Carnevale: Artisans of Viareggio
As always, you can see photos that accompany our episodes on our website materiallyspeaking.com or on Instagram.
Enjoy listening.
Sarah Monk
producer, Materially Speaking