Manerba Carnival 2001 Revamps Tradition with Twinning and New Features

The Manerba Carnival is now the only one remaining in the entire Brescia Garda basin, and based on this premise, the organizers have decided to aim for that leap in quality necessary to include it among events of great appeal and prestige.

The Manerba Carnival thus enters 2001 with a completely renewed look: more ambitious program, a close connection with the territory and the promotion of typical products, and most notably, a prestigious twinning with one of the most important Italian carnivals, the Viareggio Carnival.

The evening’s inaugural blessing will come from Miss and the official mask of the famous Tuscan celebration. These and other innovations were presented yesterday by the mayor of Manerba, Isidoro Bertini, and the president of the Pro loco, Pierino Santagiuliana, during a press event attended also by a representative of the Viareggio festival’s board of directors and the provincial sports councilor, Alessandro Sala.

Changes and Traditions

The most significant change concerns the name: the Re del Maöl, a key character of the event, also becomes the king of the “pestöm” and the “chisöl”, respectively the minced pork used for salami and a traditional rural cake typical of the entire Brescia area.

«It is an attempt to support the revival of the traditions of Garda cuisine,” says the mayor. “But in this phase of concern over food safety, we also want to propose a return to authenticity as an antidote to anxiety.”

The Manerba Carnival, whose artistic direction has been entrusted this year to tenor Brunetto Lusenti, also officially becomes the Carnival of Valtenesi, involving other towns in the region: although, for this year, like the previous edition, only the floats from Moniga and Puegnago will be present.

All the mayors will participate instead in the “Grand Carnival Feast” scheduled for the evening of Sunday 25 at the Palasport di Manerba: on that occasion, each municipality will honor a citizen who has stood out particularly in promoting Valtenesi or in community service.

New Parade Methods and Opening

It is also worth noting that, for the first time, the two afternoon parades on Sunday 18 and 25 will no longer take place in the streets of the historic center.

«This is not only to ensure a safer environment,” said Bertini. “But also to allow larger and more elaborate floats to participate.”

To avoid penalizing the local merchants, a major inaugural celebration has been planned for the evening of Saturday the 17th, with tastings of groppello, pestöm, and chisöl, display of Valtenesi typical products at the church of San Giovanni in Solarolo, a disco for teenagers, and shows for all ages.

Shows and other activities will also take place in the town center after each of the two parades.

Claudio Andrizzi