The cities of Rome and Venice will be twinned for the Carnival season this year with Rome reviving traditions that have not been seen in the city since the seventeenth century. From 6th – 16th February the streets and squares of Rome will become a massive Carnival space, peopled with masked characters, musicians, actors, dancers and horseriders.
The fun begins on February 6th with a procession from the Piazza del Popolo and along via del Corso, retracing the steps of the fifteenth century horserace, the Corsa dei Berberi.
There will be other parades throughout the ten days and from 6th – 11th February the Piazza del Popolo will become the “Villaggio della Cultura e della Tradizione”, organised by the Accademia dell’Arte Equestre.
There will be performances and displays by butteri - you’ve never seen a cowboy if you haven’t seen a buttero! – the Corazzieri, the Lancieri di Montebello and, of course, mounted Carabinieri. There will also be dressage displays.
From 6th – 16th February the Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Navona and the Piazza di Spagna will also host commedia dell’arte performances, some of which will be especially for children.
From 9th February the Museo di Roma will host the Carnevale Romano Exhibition which will show ninety nineteenth century paintings and engravings depicting the Rome Carnival. A dress designed by Roberto Capucci and previously shown at the Museo Fortuny in Venice will also be on display along with several unpublished sketches for carnival costumes.
The Galleria Sordi shopping mall will host musical costume parties over the ten days and there will be a special Valentine’s Day Parade featuring performers from Latin American countries. Singer Angelo Branduardi will perform at the “Futuro Antico” concert which will wind proceedings up on February 16th. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the fireworks!
Rome Carnival: 6th – 16th February 2010.
