Carnival on the Fountains

The Fassano Carnival has always been the most cheerful, carefree and boisterous time of the year. In the past, every 16 January, on the eve of the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, groups of young people would "desleèva l Carnascèr" - literally "loosening the reins" of Carnival - by running through the streets amid cowbells, shouts and all kinds of noise, signalling the start of the festivities. During the week, except on Fridays, homes filled with laughter thanks to the "mascherèdes": short, lively farces that are a hallmark of Ladin theatrical tradition. Some of these performances also had a propitiatory meaning, such as the masquerade of ploughing, the wedding masquerade, or the magical mill of the old women, a powerful metaphor for life flowing backwards. The rituals came to an end at dusk on Shrove Tuesday, when masked figures went from house to house to symbolically "sweep away Carnival". That same evening, groups of young people lit a large bonfire of branches to "brujèr Carnascèr": the traditional fire marking the end of the festivities and the beginning of Lent.

Today, from 24 January to 22 February, in Vigo visitors can follow an original itinerary in stages that leads to the discovery of Ladin traditions. The route winds through the most characteristic corners of the village - one of Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages - where 12 small wooden houses are set up on the fountains. Handcrafted by private individuals, schoolchildren and volunteer associations, each house tells a different story of the Ladin Carnival: from the traditional masks, known as "facères", to colourful costumes, legends and ancient propitiatory rites.

1. Strada de la Pieif: Fassa Home for the Elderly (A.P.S.P. de Fascia)
2. Strada Neva: Social Association Inout
3. Strada de la Torn de Vich: Social Workshop
4. Strada del Piz: Marta Sasso
5. Piaz de Vich: "Bambi" Association
6. Strada de Solar: Vigo parish centre
7. "Val", Strada de Val ("Crist"): Vigo Primary School, classes I and II
8. "Costa", Strada de Somcosta: "Mùsega da Vich" - Music band
9. "Costa", Strada de Costa: San Giovanni di Fassa middle school
10. "Larcioné": Larzonei Group
11. "Valongia": Vallonga Group
12. "Tamion" ("Pozat"): Marcello Weiss