The Moena Carnival
Traditional Shrove Tuesday masked parade through the streets of the city centre, with an awards ceremony in the square to celebrate the last day of Carnival
Joy, jokes, dancing and plenty of treats: in Val di Fassa, the last day of Carnival lights up the town squares. It has always been one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year, when even adults became children again, sharing pranks and witty jokes under the anonymity of the "faceres" - wooden masks of extraordinary craftsmanship, carved by the master artisans of the valley. For young people, this period often marked the beginning of a new chapter in life: between February and March, many couples chose to get married. Carnival, however, was also a rite of passage - a farewell to winter and a wish for the rebirth of spring.
Do you know which masks once defined the Carnival of Moena? There were the "Lonc": eerie, almost hellish apparitions, ghostly figures raised on poles and covered with long white sheets. And then the "Arlechign", who have nothing to do with the "classic" Harlequin found elsewhere in Italy. They were known as the "lords of the underworld", wearing knee-high boots, chequered jackets and trousers, bells and conical headgear. Their faces were hidden behind a transparent veil, and they carried a whip in their hands. Another curious tradition involved the residents of the "Turchia" district, who paraded through the centre dressed as sultans and odalisques, recalling the ancient - and slightly legendary - origins of this part of the town.
Today, that same spirit lives on in parades and celebrations, blending the irony of the past with the energy of the present. In Moena, on Shrove Tuesday (17 February), the most entertaining challenge takes centre stage: "Tale e quale… a Carnevale!" (Just like… at Carnival!). In other words, it's not enough to wear a costume - you have to be identical! A famous personality, a cartoon character, a grandmother, a pirate, a superhero or the "perfect copy" of someone you know: who will really impress?
The event starts at 2 p.m. in Piaz de Sotegrava. From here, the masked parade winds its way through the streets of the town centre, amid confetti and streamers, followed by the award ceremony for the top three in each category (group, individual, family). For younger children, there is a dedicated area with a Carnival tombola and face painting; for everyone else, traditional treats, hot drinks and a lively finale with a DJ set. The moral of the story? Choose your "lookalike"… and get ready to laugh!
