Did you know that the Putignano's Carnival festival is one of the oldest and longest in Europe? This year, the town celebrates the 626th edition and the theme is "The Earth seen from the Carnival".
If you are in Puglia, don't miss the opportunity to participate in this incredible event! Discover more about its history and find all the information you need to take part to it!
It all started way back in 1394, when Puglia was the aim of Saracen raids. To protect local treasures, some important objects, such as the relics of Saint Stefano in Monopoli, were brought to safety. The new destination was Putignano and the relics were transferred there on December 26, 1394. A legend tells that many peasants joined the religious procession singing festive, but also satirical songs. They abandoned their work in the fields to participate and they left the vines they were treating with a traditional offshoot technique.
This was, in fact, the beginning of "Festa delle Propaggini" (offshoot festival), which is still celebrated with passion after 626 years. Every December 26th, local poets recite their poems in the city's square, recounting the main events of the past year and ridiculing them in a satirical way. Actually, it is a challenge in vernacular language based on satire against local politicians: if you are in Puglia in late December, this is definitely an event you cannot miss!
"Festa delle Propaggini" officially kicks off the period of Carnival, which begins on January 17 with the Festival of Sant'Antonio Abate. Every Thursday, satirical shows are organized in the town and each one is aimed at a different objective. Monsignors, priests, nuns, widows, madmen, married women and cuckolds ... nobody is spared! The so-called "Festa dei Cornuti" (cuckold festival) is certainly the most fun: it begins with a procession at dawn where participants walk with large horns on their heads and it is followed by the proclamation of the "horned man of the year". In the evening, all the horns are cut to symbolize the erasure of the signs of betrayal. Another important date is the Bear Festival, celebrated on February 2, which is also the day of Candlemas.
The beautiful allegorical float parades take place every Sunday in February (9,16,23,25 and 29 February 2020). They include seven allegorical floats made by masters of papier-mâché, which represent facts of national and international importance in an ironic way. These works of art can also be admired with a closer look by visiting the sheds where they are created: it is a unique experience, suitable for the whole family! This year, the theme of the parade is the Earth, which must be protected through sustainable development and reducing environmental impact.
On the eve of Fat Tuesday, Putignano organizes another important procession attended by people dressed as priests, who impart extreme unction at the Carnival. Then, "his funeral" is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday evening: to symbolize the end of this period, a large papier-mâché pig is burned in the main square and the Maccheroni Bell rings 365 strokes to mark the beginning of Lent.
The typical mask of Putignano is Farinella , which takes its name from a product based on barley, chickpeas and salt cooked by farmers in this period.
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© Alice Pilastri
