Carnevale di Larino

History

The roots of the Carnival of Larino lie in ancient folk traditions, when people dressed up as a “pacchianella” and walked through the streets of the town singing and dancing, delighted to receive a gift. The first carnival event, in 1955, featured a simple cart with rented costumes. The real turning point came in 1975, when four young people from Larino joined forces to build the first allegorical floats and set up a committee able to organise a bigger, more spectacular festival.

Since then the passion has grown from generation to generation, based on craft techniques ranging from a skeleton of wire mesh and newspaper to plaster and clay moulds. This proudly preserved tradition has made the Carnival of Larino one of Italy’s 27 historic carnivals. Yet despite its glorious age, the event keeps a young, dynamic soul, involving above all the young people who work devotedly to build floats that amaze and entertain.