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The
origin of the
carnival, between
pagan traditions and
catholic institutions,
is difficult to
trace.
We
must linger, for a
temporal collocation of
feats and
entertainments, over
the information
furnished by reports,
statues and events,
traced to a specific
period.
Such period, in regards
to the Offidian
carnival, could be that
of the first years of
the 16th century,
after the end of the
plague of 1507, how
it is deducted from
some oral layouts
transcribed on the
statues of
1524.
In
fact, the survivors of
the plague, tried to
re- create the spirit,
by leaving aside many
preoccupations that
tormented them.
In
another document
(Teofilus Floridus
Potestas die 30 January
1581) it is written
that for the carnival
period, the
population covered
their faces with masks
and applicated fake
beards and moustaches
and used dressing up of
various styles.
They weren't exactly
magnificent or splendid
manifestations, but in
a certain way they
satisfied population
before the period of
Lent.
Together, the history,
the art and the
culture, have given
colour, strength,
prestige and charm to a
city.
Offida has the
privilege to add, to
these inestimated
values, carnival
parties, which propose
unique, original and
charming manifestations
transmitted by the
past.
The particularity of the Offidian carnival
is that it always proposes new carnival forms,
that not only brought amusement and cheerfulness, but also,
for their peculiarity, they have been able to exalt connotations,
features and spirit of initiative, common to our people.
Moreover the desire to
enjoy oneself and the
enthusiasm for the
festivities, tired to
pride and public
spirit, have been and
currently are,
important standard
feature of our
community.
The characteristic
carnival festival in
Offida have maintained
the tradition and
organization, finding
strength in the values
of culture and customs
of their land, in spite
of the competition with
the carnival of Ascoli
Piceno, its historical
hostile city.
Therefore, during the
years, the carnival has
become rich in contents
and permeated with
feelings in search of
new recreative forms,
but comfortable and
brilliant, that even
now characterise it,
like the 2Vlurd". The
hunting of the "Bov
fint", the phallic
symbol of the snake and
the different
congregations, each
with their uniforms and
banners.
The Offidian
carnival can be,
in the end, defined
"historical"
because, it is
documented as a
chronological
succession of events,
facts, characters, in
the local community,
since 1500.
This dimension of
old-age ancientness,
brings more glamour to
the numerous values
that characterises our
carnival, from the
traditional to the
innovative and recent
ones.
To
the 16th century is
carried out a fantastic
and spontaneous
atmosphere, which has
brought unthinkable,
humour, original and
casual entertainment
forms.
Nowadays we
can be satisfied of a
successful integration
between the past and
the innovations
proposed by an
inevitable progress,
always well
accepted.
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