I love to go to Viareggio to see the fabulous floats that take to the street at Carnevale time.
They are often a satirical take on politics. Donald Trump is an obvious target and his float was my favourite this year. The artists did a great job on his likeness.
I particularly liked his eyes…very lizard like.
Donald’s hair was spectacular. It pushed forward from his head like a wave. In fact the Statue of Liberty brandishing a gun surfed on a board from the end of his hair.
The float was led by a team dressed in red, white and blue.
Men on horseback were there too…with a native American in a cage.
A Mexican trio provided music.
At the top of the float 4 targets rotated in front of a gun toting cowboy.
Guns and violence were a theme.
The support team looked great.
Donald, please note the lack of an audience for you in the grandstand.
The float was, in fact, a huge success. (You pay extra to sit in the stand)
I will show you the other floats in the next post.
Very Clever those Italians !! Loved it, made me laugh, but also it was very well done and so as I said, clever
By: Liz Litzow on March 7, 2017
at 11:20 am
I thought it was fabulous. I hope he gets to see what was done.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 11:34 am
Lots of imagination, artistry and humor. Well done!
By: Mulino Dominillo on March 7, 2017
at 12:20 pm
There weren’t as many floats this year, but they were very good.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 2:11 pm
Wow … a lot going on in that work … much more than I caught on first glance!
By: aFrankAngle on March 7, 2017
at 1:18 pm
There are lots of people involved in each float. They are amazing.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 2:11 pm
Absolutely spectacular!! I’m almost speechless with admiration – the
depiction, dead on …. the talent, priceless!!
By: Anonymous on March 7, 2017
at 1:25 pm
Months of work go into these floats.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 2:12 pm
Hysterical! and just so sad…
By: dcdinoto on March 7, 2017
at 1:33 pm
Yes, the man is a fool. Let’s hope the next few years pass without too many disasters.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 2:13 pm
Very clever so much going on! So much hard work and commitment. Good for them.
By: janetknight57 on March 7, 2017
at 2:44 pm
I hope someone shows Donald the efforts on his behalf.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 7, 2017
at 2:52 pm
Really well-made! it shows in a funny way the current situation in America 😉
By: Fede on March 7, 2017
at 3:10 pm
The floats are incredible. You can visit the workshops to see how they are made.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2017
at 5:45 am
My grandfather visited Viareggio often as a child, as he grew up in Bagni di Lucca.He came to America after narrowly escaping Benito Mussolini. I certainly believe he would be disappointed on how this float reflects an anti-American sentiment, as it depicts hatred and the furthest from the truth. My family lives in southern California, and our area has been seriously impacted by the problems caused my illegal immigration.
By: Nora Garibotti on March 7, 2017
at 8:35 pm
Many of the floats are political comment on several countries. I think this is a comment on Trump, not America in general. Most of the world thinks he is a stupid thug.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2017
at 5:49 am
I’m surprised you would make a malicious comment like that!
By: Nora Garibotti on March 8, 2017
at 8:51 pm
Donald Trump is not viewed favourably by the world outside America…and by many inside the country. I think your grandfather would have been happy that it is possible to criticise a government. Mussolini would have had you shot for that.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2017
at 6:13 am
Hi Debra. Great blog…great photo’s, your sentiment is the sentiment of many, in and outside of America.
By: Highlander on March 9, 2017
at 1:49 pm
Thank you. The world is watching in amazement.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2017
at 4:01 pm
Classic, thanks for sharing this. Look forward to the next post on the floats. Louise
By: The Year I Touched My Toes on March 7, 2017
at 9:41 pm
I will sort the photos soon.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2017
at 5:51 am
Powerful messages and great photos
By: Mallee Stanley on March 7, 2017
at 9:43 pm
There are no barricades so it is possible to get quite close to the floats.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2017
at 5:52 am
Perfect! Actually, when you think about it, what he is doing is asking everyone to not believe their eyes and ears and that would fit with the true meaning of Carnevale, wouldn’t it? Something out of this world.
By: Jan on March 7, 2017
at 10:38 pm
I still can’t believe that anyone would vote for this creep.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 8, 2017
at 5:53 am
He is such an easy target for ridicule – great art work!
By: Joe"s Retirement Blog on March 8, 2017
at 1:56 pm
He is an easy mark, but they have done it well.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2017
at 6:17 am
That was a brilliant post, Deb! The Italians know how to show satirical politics on a grand scale. Just shows what this part of the globe thinks of Trump’s ‘America’ with this megliomanaic still new in his office. Well done, Deb! Can’t wait to see the other floats in your next blog.
By: Sandra Hoopmann on March 8, 2017
at 5:05 pm
I think they did a great job on Donald. How did anyone vote for this man?
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2017
at 6:18 am
Hi Debra: The floats are spectacular!
Thanks for the Pics. My grandparents came from Lucca and Genoea around 1914. My grandfather’s name is on the wall at Ellis Island. They would be saddened because of Trump’s presidency. I didn’t vote for him, because of his past business practices, but a lot of people did because they lost their jobs, homes and families due to globalization and automation. It is very sad that Trump won because of their loses. However, think when this happened before in history. That being said, hopefully, I plan to be in Lucca for a month in April. Will people be angry with me because of the Trump presidency? Thanks again. Diane
By: Diane on March 9, 2017
at 7:57 pm
I doubt very much that people will blame individual Americans for Trump. The whole world has gone a bit mad. You will have a great time in Lucca. April is a beautiful month. Everything will have its new green coat on.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 9, 2017
at 8:10 pm
Thank you! Look forward to seeing this beautiful country. My daughter gave me a new watercolor set. Can’t wait to use it in Italy!
By: Diane on March 9, 2017
at 8:31 pm
These are powerful messages Debra. As someone who is sickened by Trump I can’t help but laugh at his hair and lizard eyes in the float. Sums it up pretty well. On a serious note I’m very very troubled by what we are becoming here. The other floats depict it quite well. Scary times. 😪
By: thirdeyemom on March 15, 2017
at 1:51 am
I have travelled in America quite a bit and I think it is a fabulous country, but I am not going there while he is in power.
By: Debra Kolkka on March 15, 2017
at 6:00 am
I don’t blame you Debra. It has been very very hard. I am so distraught. It has really opened my eyes too as I live in such a bubble world. I honestly thought it was a joke that he was even running and it proved me wrong. I just hope we can mend the immense damage that will be done.
By: thirdeyemom on March 15, 2017
at 8:28 pm
Only the Italians can do it so very well.
By: Anonymous on July 17, 2017
at 4:35 pm
These floats are ruthless.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 17, 2017
at 9:21 pm
[…] went to the Carnevale in Viareggio in March. Trump was obviously a popular topic for political […]
By: A new year begins | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on January 1, 2018
at 8:18 am