Valle Intelvi: the Carnival of tradition and anarchy

Schignano celebrates its oldest festival with masks, rites and satire

In the picturesque setting of the Intelvi Valley, just a stone's throw from Lake Como, the Schignano Carnival is preparing to revive one of Italy's most deeply rooted and evocative traditions. With its hand-carved masks, centuries-old folklore, and a unique atmosphere that engages residents and visitors, this event represents a true fusion of history, satire, and popular culture, offering an authentic glimpse of a community that still keeps its traditions alive today.

Here, Carnival is not a simple parade: it is a challenge between opposites, a staging without a script where the masks, hand-sculpted by local artisans, tell stories of emigration, social contrasts and popular irony. The absolute protagonists are the Bej and the Brut. The former, rich and vain, parade with elegant clothes, decorated hats and harmonious-sounding bronze bells. The Brut, on the other hand, dressed in rags and covered in soot, carry out-of-tune bells and move in an awkward and frenetic way, between races, exhausted stops and irreverent jokes that involve the public.

Alongside them appear other emblematic figures: the Sapeur, silent guardians wrapped in sheepskins with blackened faces, and Ciocia, the only speaking character, who ironically denounces social injustices in the local dialect.

But the true symbol of the festival is the Carlisep, the puppet that personifies Carnival itself. After days spent hanging in the square, on Shrove Tuesday it is carried in procession amidst symbolic chases and escapes, until the final bonfire that marks the end of the festival and the beginning of Lent. A final theatrical act in which the Bej cry for the end of Carnival and the Brut rejoice, celebrating the reversal of the social order.

“The Carnival of Schignano is an ancient rite, a spontaneous theater where the soul of the town comes to life through its unique masks. – comments Ferruccio Rigola, Mayor of Schignano – It is the triumph of contrast: elegance and pomp clash with poverty and irreverence in a game without rules. The protagonists, the Bej and the Brut, embody two opposing worlds: the first, elegant and richly adorned, advance with grace, while the second, wild and unpredictable, break every balance with frenetic movements and provocative gestures. Completing the Carnival stage are the Sapeur, accompanied by the Sigurtà, the Cioia and the Fugheta, who further enrich the scene with their characteristic presence. A tradition that is not only a celebration, but collective memory and identity”.

Experiencing the Schignano Carnival means immersing yourself in an authentic tradition, made of craftsmanship, music and popular theater. An unmissable experience for those who love the most genuine and evocative popular festivals.

Schignano Carnival 2025 – Program

· Sunday 23 February – Children's Carnival

· Workshops, traditional games and a masked parade to introduce the little ones to the magic of Carnival.

· Saturday 1st March – Grand Parade of Traditional Masks

· The streets of the village come alive with the Bei and Brut, with music, dances, improvised performances and food stands.

· Tuesday 4th March – Grand Finale and Bonfire of Carlisep

· The most anticipated event: the Carlisep, symbol of the Carnival, is carried in procession between escapes, chases and dramatic twists, until the suggestive bonfire in Piazza San Giovanni.

“The Schignano Carnival is much more than a celebration: it is the beating heart of our traditions, a heritage of folklore that has been handed down for generations and that renews its magic every year. – concludes Matteo Augustoni, President of the Valle Intelvi Tourism Association – With its iconic masks, evocative rites and engaging atmosphere, this Carnival captures the attention of thousands of people, who participate with enthusiasm or choose to stay in our territory to fully experience each event. Supporting and enhancing this historic event means preserving our identity and promoting a unique experience, capable of exciting and leaving an indelible mark on anyone who attends it.”

For information: www.schignano.co.it