The Viareggio Carnival 2011 Announcement

Viareggio, located in Tuscany, Italy, invites you to the carnival again.

The feast will open on Saturday, February 19, at 16:00 on Mazzini Square (Piazza Mazzini). The grand opening is devoted to the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy.

The carnival processions will be held on Sundays of February, 20, February, 27, March 6, and also on so-called “fat Tuesday” of March, 8. The last carnival day will be March, 13. The holiday will end in a beautiful night parade and traditional fireworks.

The carnival of Viareggio differs greatly from other carnivals. Unlike in Rio de Janeiro, there are no fancy dresses or sexual freedom here. Neither you can see masks, which are traditional for Venice. The carnival in Viareggio depicts everything as it is, just a bit exaggerated.

You can use the word “exaggerated” here in both, direct and figurative meanings. The main figures of the Viareggio carnival are large paper-machee floats of the last year most popular celebrities. Their actions are also caricatured. Politicians, businessmen, sportsmen, actors and musicians give causes to be exposed to ridicule. Actually, politicians are the most popular floats, among them you can often see Silvio Berlusconi. This year Barack Obama will be shown as an illusionist.

The carnival parade of wagons with caricatured figures are not the only entertainment. But for them, various cultural and sport events are held.

The atmosphere of satire and sarcasm prevails here. However, there is always place for a simple joke to clear the air.

Every year while the carnival, the population of the seaside town, Viareggio, increases in a couple of times. Not just the Italians, but tourists form all over the world come for the holiday event. It's better to take care of an accommodation in Viareggio or on its outskirts in advance.