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The floats parade through the streets of the historic center, displaying colors, shapes, and movements, captivating residents and tourists with their original hymns and music. The parade lasts all night and culminates with the recitation of the satirical script in the main square.
It all ends on the night of Sunday the 16th, when the float of Peppi Nappa, the characteristic mask of the Sciacca Carnival, will be burned.
The Sciacca Carnival through time…
Carnival generally dates back to Roman times, when the Saturnalia were celebrated, and the king of the Saturnalia was sacrificed on the last night, as happens today with our Peppi Nnappa, a local masked figure.
The origins of the Sciacca Carnival likely date back to 1616, when Viceroy Ossuna “announced on the last day of Carnival that everyone should dress in masks.”
For the city of Sciacca, Carnival represents an allegorical and satirical moment to come out into the open: during those days, the “Sciacchitani” unleash their imagination. In the months leading up to the festival, construction of the enormous allegorical floats begins, crafted by craftsmen who have been handing down the art of papier-mâché for a hundred years.
Carnival begins with the symbolic handing over of the keys to the city to the Carnival King: Peppi Nnappa. The population, with their joy, masks, music, and pranks, take over the city. The highlight of the event is the parade of allegorical floats. Parading through the streets of the historic center, the floats enliven the celebration with their hymns and music. The masked groups with their choreography encourage all participants to dance. The parade lasts all night and culminates with the inevitable recitation of the satirical script in Piazza Scandaliato.
