The Carnevale in Viareggio is usually held in February but was postponed this year because of Covid. A slightly different type of parade has been held in October. At the regular Carnevale the audience wanders in and around the huge floats that make their way along the street in Viareggio. This time the audience were to be seated. That happened to some extent.
I went along last Sunday with some friends and after a quick shower of rain the sun came out and the parade of enormous floats began the slow journey around Viareggio. They were all stunning and I took lots of photos. There are too many for one post so I will begin with a couple of my favourites.
A brick prison opened to reveal Nelson Mandela being released. He was encouraged to come out by an entourage waiting to catch him.
This float is crowded with so many elements it is difficult to take it all in.
The next one is all about Angela Merkel.
Other heads pop up.
There are lots of extras.
The floats are incredible. The amount of thought, design and construction is mind boggling. The enthusiasm of the hundreds of costumed people involved in the parades is infectious. I imagine they are all volunteers who must put in many hours of fitting and rehearsals. What fun it would be to be part of the spectacle that is Carnevale di Viareggio.
I much prefer the unruly crowd that dresses up and adds to the chaos of the normal parade and I hope that returns next year.
Here are some posts from previous years.
The Carnevale parade at Viareggio
Faces at the Carnevale in Viareggio 2012