I Love Touring Italy - Val D'Aosta Carnival Season 2014
The tiny region of Val d'Aosta tucked in the mountainous northwest corner of Italy bordering on France and Switzerland is by far the smallest of the twenty Italian regions. That doesn't mean you won't enjoy Carnevale in this bilingual area (Italian and French). Here are some of the many examples.
The town of Verres whose population is about 2500 holds a Historical Carnival Pageant and Parade that manages to attract thousands of visitors. Carnevale here recalls the Fifteenth Century battle for the inheritance of the aristocrat Francesco di Challand between his beautiful daughters. On the last Saturday before Carnevale, a costumed delegation marches to the Town Hall, where the Mayor presents Caterina with a golden key, making her the Lady of the Manor. She begins her reign by inviting the crowd to festivities held within the castle, in an attempt to gain the support of the populace. The celebration lasts for three days and culminates with a very colorful carnival parade on Tuesday.
The town of Pont-Saint-Martin whose population approximates 4000 holds a unique Roman Carnival in which toga-clad tribunes, senators, legions, guards and nymphs celebrate Carnival with a real chariot race! Carnevale terminates with the hanging and burning of a straw devil under the Saint-Martin bridge. Part of the tradition states that Lys the river nymph was angry at the people so she flooded the river hoping to destroy the village. But when the flood reached the bridge it abated thanks to the people's prayers.
In the pricey ski resort of Courmayeur, population 4000, which, as the ads put it, is on the sunny side of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc) Carnevale means traditional folk dances welcoming the arrival of spring. Major players include the bear looking for his shadow, the mule whose tail sweeps away the wicked winds, and lots of tiny mirrors that frighten off evil spirits. When you're tired of Carnevaling you can always hit the ski slopes or vice versa. The town of Nus, population 3000, holds a historical (Middle-Ages) Carnevale whose centerpiece is the municipal band that leads a procession of masked, costumed villagers accompanied by some great, allegorical floats. There is free soup for one and all.
In the summer resort of Saint-Vincent, population 5000, the focus is on the Children's Carnival complete with a Child-Mayor who rules the roost with his or her little buddies for eleven days. Watch your step or a "little guardian" can fine you but unlike the usual circumstances all proceeds go to charity. Wherever you go, whatever you do make sure to check out fine Val D'Aosta wines.
About the Author
Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but prefers Italian travel and drinking fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods and people. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Visit his Italian travel website http://www.travelitalytravel.com which includes an expanded version of this article and lots more.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here