Many of the floats at the Carnevale are critical of politics and politicians. I didn’t know most of the politicians who came in for criticism, but I have heard of the illustrious leader of Italy. He was singled out for attack with a float dedicated to him. It was spectacular in its cruelty. He owns most of the media, making it difficult to criticise him there, so I guess this was a great outlet for those who disagree with his antics.
here comes Silvio
These floats are several stories high, so it was a very big Silvio making his way down the street.
showered with confetti
getting closer
and closer
his mouth opens
wider
and he starts to come apart at the seams
he really falls apart
exposed
then he pulls himself together and moves on
reference to his media empire
stifled screams
this gives an idea of the size of the float
It is quite clear that teflon man is not popular with some sections of the community.
Click here to see my favourite float – the green man.
Through your photos I can enjoy the floats even more. You have really beautiful pictures!!!! See you in the bar tomorrow?!
By: eponato on March 12, 2011
at 5:15 pm
Thanks Rosi. Berlusconi looks amazing here. I’ll be there in the morning.
By: bagnidilucca on March 12, 2011
at 5:19 pm
Deb, it was worth going to Carnevale just to see this, what a clever puppet! right up there with the best of any Hollywood could come up with. I wonder if it appeared in TV coverage of the festival!
By: Roz on March 12, 2011
at 5:21 pm
What are you doing up at this hour? I haven’t seen any reference to this float at all. I think it is incredible – I agree, it was worth going to Viareggio just to see this.
By: bagnidilucca on March 12, 2011
at 5:33 pm
I’m just amazed at the artistic and technical details of these floats! – real works of art! Your pictures capture that very well, Deb. It’s good that Carnevale allows that freedom of political expression not enjoyed by Berlusconi’s tightly-controlled media. I was expecting Berlusconi to be surrounded by a bevy of young women as he is portrayed as such in our Australian papers. That float certainly says a lot about his character.
I suggest that, when Carnevale is over, you visit the workshops later in the year and see how these puppets are made. Really fascinating!
By: Sandra H on March 12, 2011
at 10:15 pm
I will certainly visit the workshop to see how the floats are made. I think it would be fascinating.
By: bagnidilucca on March 12, 2011
at 11:27 pm
Incredible. How good that you were there for this. Love the photos.
By: mary D on March 12, 2011
at 11:42 pm
Amazing isn’t it?
By: bagnidilucca on March 13, 2011
at 2:38 am
Wow…, now that’s sayin’ it like they see it isn’t it. Spectacular all the same eh 🙂
By: Anna Johnston on March 13, 2011
at 2:11 am
I wonder what Silvio thinks.
By: bagnidilucca on March 13, 2011
at 2:38 am
Hahaha…they really did go all out to make their point, didn’t they! Great photos as always, Deb! 🙂
By: Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial on March 13, 2011
at 5:04 am
Thanks. I wonder how they think these thing up.
By: bagnidilucca on March 13, 2011
at 5:37 am
OMG that is so elaborate! 😮
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on March 13, 2011
at 10:51 am
I wonder what they would do with Julia or the Kevster.
By: bagnidilucca on March 13, 2011
at 11:03 am
This is such a brilliant political and creative statement! I think my favorite part is the media representation with the claws tearing through the faces that have been burned into the papers. Genius!
By: The General (aka: Mommy) on March 13, 2011
at 9:48 pm
There is amazing detail on the float.
By: bagnidilucca on March 13, 2011
at 11:19 pm
These floats are so creative! Wonder how long it takes to make one like this, and whether they re-use them again?
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on March 21, 2011
at 8:57 am
I thought the Berlusconi float was amazing. It must take them months to make them. Perhaps they recycle parts of them.
By: bagnidilucca on March 21, 2011
at 11:41 am
as an Italian I can say that they are all fantasies,berlusconi does not control the media.the majority of Italian newspapers and in favor of the left
He certainly has Mediaset,but in his television is always attacked and mocked by comedians.Berlusconi saved Italy,if it wasn’t for him We were in the hands of Italian Communists worse than Russia and Cuba.do not believe what you hear ’cause the media in Italy are controlled by the left they pretend to be Berlusconi’s to hide the true reality
By: marco on June 23, 2011
at 2:55 pm
Thank you for your opinion. There are always 2 sides to every argument.
By: bagnidilucca on June 23, 2011
at 8:59 pm
[…] have selected Berlusconi as you have never seen him because I think the photos are pretty good. showered with […]
By: Take a look at my 7 links « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on July 30, 2011
at 6:57 am
That is one amazing carnival float – so very clever. Just goes to show that you can’t stifle everyone all the time – the people WILL have their say, one way or another 😉
By: Lu on July 30, 2011
at 2:03 pm
I think this float won first prize.
By: bagnidilucca on July 30, 2011
at 11:07 pm
[…] wonderful. Silvio Berlusconi came in for some criticism. showered with confetti Click here to see more of Silvio and here to see my favourite float, the Big Green Man. There is a category […]
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at 5:22 am
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at 11:43 pm