Il carro del Carnevale

It’s the season of Carnevale here, that is the crazy period of time when people enjoy feasts, drinking, eating a lot before they start Lent and their “fioretti”, sacrifices or vows for Easter. Usually people stop eating or drinking something they particularly like. It’s just for 40 days.
Every Sunday and on Mardi Gras, there are celebrations, with floats, children and adults dressed up in fancy costumes and a lot of cakes to be eaten! In my town, the main float, is the one in the picture. It’s historical. It’s decorated with symbols of my town. You will certainly recognise the basilica and the town hall. The lion and the lily are symbols of Florence, which used to govern us, but not any more. St. John the Baptist is our patron saint. In the top right hand side corner you can see Masaccio, a famous painter who was born here. Next to him, on the left, the miracle of Monna Tancia, for which our basilica is famous.