While in Roma

Before Easter begins, there is a season of Carnevale. This holiday is preceded by several days of celebration and festivities, beginning on Epiphany, January 6, and leading up to the Holiday which falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, Quaresima (which begins the 40 days leading up to Easter and literally means “40 days”). During this time Children dress up in costumes and throw confetti at each other and on the streets. Both adults and children have costume parties, the pastry shops sell special treats that they only make this time of year, and there may be parades on any given day. Historically this was a celebratory season for the catholic church and those who would be abstaining from meat for 40 days. The Italian word for meat is Carne so this “meat” festival was a time where one would indulge in all things meat and have a month long party before their season of Lent and fasting began. Today, though many Italians celebrate these long-time religious holidays, they do not participate in the practices of the catholic church themselves because catholicism is more about one’s Italian heritage and the church’s influence on the culture rather than a personal decision to follow Christ and be a part of the church. It is still however, a time enjoyed by all and I too thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and all the special treats and funny sights to see that come with it.

The Batman Float