La Storia del Carnevale with Professor J. Spedaliere

It’s that time of year again when we celebrate the varied Epicurean pleasures of life to the fullest. Il Carnevale is about to begin! Since time immemorial, our species has engaged in epic uninhibited frenzied festivity in observance of the imminent end of winter and the arrival of springtime. Over time, this primordial practice has undergone numerous multifaceted manifestations from pagan to religious to political, and back to pagan. In some places, the mischievous merriment lasts for weeks at a time. However, all good things must end; and these days and nights of decadent partying culminate with Martedì grasso - Fat Tuesday.

Starting on Mercoledì delle ceneri , i.e. Ash Wednesday - for the next 40 days, society purges itself of its hedonistic appetite, redirects its ways and returns to a much needed state of sobriety and moderation as it prepares for re-birth on Easter Sunday, la Pasqua.