In the village of Santi Cosma and Damiano, the Carnevale Campagnolo, among the most famous Historical Carnivals in Lazio, is celebrated with two parades, on the Sundays of March 2 and 9.
the Gonfalone at the Carnevale Campagnolo www.carnevalecampagnolo.it
On the two occasions, the Carnival floats wind along via F. Baracca. On March 9, they turn off a closed street between via Francesco Baracca and via Filari di Cristo, where they stop to offer the public choreographic performances. The two banners of the Municipality and the Carnevale Campagnolo are carried on procession, the latter portraying La Pacchiana, a beautiful smiling woman of peasant origin.
Angiolella and Gli Ninni at the Carnevale Campagnolo – www.carnevalecampagnolo.it
Angiolella, the godmother of the Carnival and symbol of Santi Cosma e Damiano, was inspired by La Pacchiana. She wears the traditional embroidered dress decorated with a tower, the emblem of the town’s coat-of-arms, as well as ears of corn, wheat, bread, olive trees and local flowers. The black silk velvet skirt, enriched with seven satin ribbons representing the seven colours of the rainbow, symbolize hope and renewal. The ribbons are held by Gli Ninni, seven children, who represent the future of the village.
Don Antonio, the King of the Carnevale Campagnolo – www.carnevalecampagnolo.it
The celebrations begin with Gli Ninni bringing Angiolella before the King of Carnival, Don Antonio, who wears a black silk velvet cape, embellished with Astrakhan fur inserts and rainbow-coloured rays. The King loves playing with enthusiast children and throwing confetti to them.
The floats of the Carnevale Campagnolo – www.carnevalecampagnolo.it
The banner parades will be accompanied by the folk group “Il Contado” and the “Santi Cosma e Damiano musical band”, founded in 1979, and followed by flag-weavers, masked groups, jugglers and fire-eaters. But the protagonists of the event will be the allegorical floats from the different districts, majestic papier-mâché iron-framed sculptures operated by a hydraulic PLC control system, unique in Italy. Disabled people from the village also actively participate in the Carnival, parading in the procession and organizing theatrical shows.
In piazza Campomaggiore, a ceremony for the best allegorical float and masked group will be held, and all participants will be able to visit local craft markets and typical food stands.