The 151st edition of the Carnival of Viareggio (Lucca) is underway where at least on the floats there is little political satire, in the group masquerades there is talk of the war in Ukraine with Putin and Zelenskyj. First appearance at Carnival for the masks of Democratic Secretary Elly Schlein and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto.
For the rest, there is room for the most disparate social themes including artificial intelligence, climate change, the difficult transition of children from childhood to adulthood, the dangers of drugs, experience of psychiatric hospitals, contemporary society which makes pain spectacular. There is no shortage of tributes to two great figures of the 20th century such as the artist Salvator Dalì and the poet Alda Merini.
Among the guests of the opening parade were the president of the Tuscany region Eugenio Giani, the consul of the United States in Florence, Daniela Ballard, the mayor of Viareggio, Giorgio Del Ghingaro, the prefect of Lucca Giuseppa Scaduto, the former footballer world champion Marco Tardelli. and journalist Myrta Merlino. In the morning, at the Cittadella del Carnivale, tribute to Sergio Staino.
After the raising of the Burlamacca flag, the Mameli anthem and the greetings of Del Ghingaro and Giani, at 4 p.m., with the three cannon shots, the parade began. Daniele Biagini, the singer-songwriter of the Carnival who died prematurely, as well as the young Leonardo Brown and Emma Genovali, who died in a road accident, were remembered, with their photos displayed on various floats.
At the end of the procession with the presence of many people on the seaside avenues, favored by a beautiful sunny day, the fireworks. The Fantasy Carnival is back for the third year in a row, a combined game with the Viareggio Carnival.
Museum open tomorrow at the Citadelle du Carnaval. See you Thursday, February 8, 6 p.m., for the second class.