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Carnival in Friuli Venezia Giulia
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When:
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Feb 2008 (annual)
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Where:
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Friuli-Venezia Giulia
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Throughout the north-eastern Italian region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, known for its distinctive ethnic backgrounds, carnival festivities offer a week of varied entertainment, ranging from Venetian-style events to traditional Germanic parties.
Celebrations begin in Sauris, a small town up in the mountains, where the locals re-enact ancient Germanic dances, Voshankh, wearing hand-made wooden masks. The following day around 2000 people congregate in Trieste for the Muggia Carnival, also known as the "Little Venice". Masked parades representing the town's eight neighbourhoods march along the streets with their colourful themed floats.
On Shrove Tuesday the Gorizia province stages similar events, featuring folk songs and dances in the towns' squares, while in Montefosca the blumarji run through fields dressed in white as a symbol of good luck. Then there is Masarolis with its Te Kriznast and Te Koznast, where traditional figures go from house to house collecting any kind of gifts they are offered. San Giorgio Bila in Val di Resia ends the carnival season on Ash Wednesday with original Slavic events.
For detailed information on each event, please visit the Turismo Friuli Venezia Giulia website.
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