Carnevale takes place just before Lent in February during the last days in which traditionally Christians can eat meat.
What is Carnevale?
It is a big festival that takes place in Italy and in other catholic countries such as Brazil. People dress in costumes and where masks, eat lots of food and parade through the streets of cities such as Viareggio and Venice. During Carnevale season people in Italy eat a lot of rich and fatty food such as fried sweet pastries (crostoli).
What is the history of the Carnevale?
Carnevale originates from ancient roman and Egyptian festivals. Christians tried to get rid of carnevale because people behaved too wildly. Since they were unsuccessful eventually, the Church included it in the Christian calendar before Lent. Some of the games included human pyramids in front of the Doge's palace in the 18th century in Venice.
