Historic Carnival of Ivrea
"See you on Thursday at one o clock"
It is the sentence pronounced by the General on Shrove Tuesday, before the solemn closing of the Historic Carnival.
It is an invitation for everyone to the next edition that will start on Thursday at one o clock.
The Historical Carnival of Ivrea has its roots in the Middle Ages; is a Carnival whose primary rites, the Zappata and the burning of the Scarli led by the Abbà until the end of the '700, have been handed down orally until 1808, year in which the first transcript of a ceremony appears in the Books of the Processes Minutes for future reference.
The Ivrea Carnival is a unique event in which history and legend intertwine to give life to a great popular civic festival with a strong symbolic value, during which the Ivrea community celebrates its capacity for self-determination by recalling an episode of emancipation from the tyranny of medieval memory.
Known to most for the spectacular Battle of the Oranges which takes place for three days in the main city squares, the Eporediese Carnival is characterized by a ceremonial complex that draws on different historical periods up to culminating in the Historical Procession.
True protagonist is the Charming Mugnaia, symbol of freedom and heroine of the party since its appearance in 1858. To accompany the General, of Napoleonic origin who leads the brilliant General Staff, and to follow the Substitute Grand Chancellor, master of ceremonies and strict guardian of the tradition, the very young Abbà, two for each of the five districts and the Mayor, representative of the city power.
The spirit of the Historic Ivrea Carnival, perfectly handed down from the Carnival Song "Once upon a time", lives in the re-enactment of the uprising of the people against the Marquis of Monferrato who starved the city.
In legend, it was the heroic gesture of Violetta, the daughter of a miller, who freed the people from tyranny. Rebelled against the ius primae noctis imposed by the baron, Violetta killed him with her own sword and the famous Battle of oranges recalls this revolt.
The Historical Procession of the Ivrea Carnival is populated by various characters from different eras.
The CharmingMugnaia (Violetta) with its Escort of Honor, the Toniotto (his groom), the General and the General Staff, made up of Officers and Vivandiere, the Substitute Grand Chancellor, the Magnificent Mayor guarantor of city freedom, the Alfieri with the flags of the five districts, represented by the Abbà, the Pifferi and Tamburi band.
The Epiphany represents the official opening of the party with the first release of the beloved Pifferi and the proclamation of the General. In the two Sundays before Carnival the protagonists are the little Abbà, who are presented (raised) from the balconies of the respective districts.
Fat Thursday is the day of the transfer of power from the Mayor to the General.
The highlight is Saturday night when, from the balcony of the Town Hall, the name of the Vezzosa Mugnaia, true Carnival heroine, is finally revealed.
The first procession follows, on foot, through the streets of the historic center.
On Sunday morning instead the Podestà is the protagonist of one of the most symbolic ceremonies, the Preda in Dora: the simple throwing of a stone in the river symbolizes the destruction of the Castellazzo, seat of the tyrant.
On Sunday afternoon, during the first day of the Battle, the Historical Procession is complete. It is guided by the Mugnaia on a golden chariot pulled by three white horses.
It is at this time that the two souls of the Carnival meet, paying homage to each other: the Mugnaia responds to the applause of the orangers by throwing sweets and mimosas.
The same will also be repeated on Shrove Tuesday, before the solemn closure represented by the burning of the Scarli and the moved greeting of the General who invites everyone to the next edition:
(goodbye to Thursday at one o clock).
It is the most spectacular element of the Carnival, the one that best represents the revolt of the people (the orange throwers on foot) against the armies of the tyrant (the orange throwers on the carts).
For three afternoons (from Sunday to Shrove Tuesday) the teams on foot, without any protection, fight against the orange throwers on the carts, protected by leather helmets ("masks").
It is not uncommon to see adversaries holding hands in respect, recognizing the skill and courage of others.
The Ace of Spades, the first born in 1947, pulls into the Town Square, which it shares with Death (1954).
In Piazza Ottinetti we find the Chess (1964) and the Arduino Scorpions (1966), while I Tuchini of the Borghetto (1964) are the only ones to shoot on the right bank of the Dora Baltea.
In Piazza del Rondolino they fight the Black Panther (1966), the Devils (1973) and the Mercenaries (1974).
Finally the Credendari (1985) who shoot in piazza Freguglia
They alternate inside the squares for a few minutes.
The quality of the fittings and the harnesses of the horses are elements that combine to define the final rankings.
The criteria for evaluating the design of the wagons are defined by a special Creative Observatory.
Among the protagonists there are also horses, always a subject of great care and respect.
