The historic date of Sunday 5 February is fast approaching , when for the first time the Carnival of Viareggio, starting at 2.30pm, will parade on the Walls of Lucca with masks, animations and extras for a memorable day. It will be the culminating event of LIM (Lucca in Maschera) , which is attracting the attention of local and national media thanks to a large and varied program that will enrich the city’s tourist offer and bring to Lucca the spirit of celebration and lightness that distinguishes the demonstration.
The parade of the Carnival on the Walls will have free admission for all citizens , with a route that will start from Piazza Santa Maria, on the wall with a stop at the Caffè delle Mura for an entertainment exhibition, and get off the wall stopping in Piazza Grande and Piazza San Michele. A longer route than previously planned, which will allow the expected large audience to be distributed along the route. The traditional characters of Ondina and Burlamacco will open the parade, which will involve adults and children along the route in a day of joy and collective celebration.
To promote this historic initiative , a particular and significant poster is being created: the sketch of a cart depicting Lucca, created and signed by Fabrizio Giannini on commission from the Francesconi Brothers back in 1948. A sketch of considerable historical and cultural value, exceptionally granted from the Carnival Foundation to the administration and reused for the poster of this first edition of the event. The wagon represented in the draft, never built, would have been entitled “Mercato Lucchese”.
Sunday 5th February from 14:30 from piazza Santa Maria to Caffe delle Mura – piazza Napoleone and piazza San Michele: the Carnival of Viareggio on the walls of Lucca – parade of masked groups.
The order of the parade
Ondina and Burlamacco on the classic horse-drawn carriage, followed by numerous choreography figures, isolated masks, group masks and bands:
Isolated masks: “Only those who dream can fly” by Lorenzo Paoli; “The master of fear” by Michelangelo Francesconi; “From close nobody is normal” and “Here is now” by Matteo Raciti;
Choreography “Evolution of the species” by Umberto, Stefano, Michele Cinquini and Silvia Cirri; choreography “Wonderful” by Luciano Tomei; music by the Versilia Philharmonic (Official Band of the Carnival of Viareggio); choreography “A fantastic story” by Jacopo Allegrucci; choreography “A macumba to say enough! ” by Luigi Bonetti;
Group masquerade with Silvano Bianchi’s musical cart; “Whoever wants to be happy, let them be” by Silvano Bianchi; choreography “Planeta Earth 2.0” by Fabrizio and Valentina Galli; choreography “Armed peace” by Alessandro Avanzini; group disguise “Skinny Cows” by Stefano di Giusto; choreography “Laugh clown” by Lebigre and Roger; choreography “Carnival Divine” by Luca Bertozzi; music by the musical body “Giacomo Puccini” by Nozzano, official band of the Municipality of Lucca; choreography “Musk attacks” by Priscilla Borri; choreography “The dark side” by Marzia Etna and Matteo Lamanuzzi; group mask (n. 6 jokes) “In Carrozza we start again” by Giampiero Ghiselli and Maria Chiara Franceschini; music by the Band Campagnola di Marlia; choreography “Occhio al malocchio” by Carlo and Lorenzo Lombardi; choreography “Love wins over everything” by Massimo and Alessandro Breschi; closing with the music of Burla Car, the official car of the Carnival of Viareggio.
A total of 12 choreographies, over 500 figurants, 24 mascheroni and 3 musical bands for a historic event that will see for the first time the Carnival of Viareggio parade in another city, in the suggestive scenery of the urban walls of Lucca. Along the course of the parade, there will be two large screens where it will be possible for everyone to follow the images of the Viareggio Carnival Floats, which are matched by the parade choreographies: one at the Caffè delle Mura, conducted by Daniele Maffei and one in Piazza San Michele, where Andrea Mazzi will be featuring.
From 19:00 in Piazza San Francesco Tordelli Party and concert of Manolo Strimpelli.
Saturday 18th February from 21:30 at the ex Cavallerizza Grand Gala of Carnival in historical costume.
Sunday 19th February from 14:30 piazza San Francesco children’s party
Friday 24 February from 21:00 at Teatro del Giglio Grand Carnival Gala Concert with the Lucca Philharmonic Orchestra (info 340 8106042).
From 1st to 28th February under the lodge of the Palazzo Pretorio “Lucca, stories of carriages and Carnivals*.
On the 3rd, 4th and 5th of February shops in the old town will have discounts. ‘Mask Discounts’, with super offers in the best shops in the historic center, and ‘Carnival Dishes’, with the possibility of tasting dishes dedicated to the Carnevale both for lunch and dinner. In addition, dedicated tourist packages will be available, curated by DMC Piana di Lucca, for those who want to experience the Carnival atmosphere in the city.
THE PARKING LOT
To enable the expected large influx without a hitch, a parking plan has been set up that will allow visitors and participants to leave their cars a few hundred meters from LIM events, in total safety and comfort. In fact, numerous spaces have been identified in the very first urban suburbs (as shown on the attached map) that will be available for the great events of Lucca in Maschera. Free parking areas: cemetery, Palasport, Tagliate, Barons, Tagliate San Marco, Campo di Marte, Stadium, Macelli, Pulia. Parking areas for a fee: Palatucci, Carducci, Station.
