The Florence Carnival will begin on Saturday, January 27, with the Grand Ball at the Palazzo Vecchio, followed by a big parade in the center free to anyone. The 27-day program allows travelers to enter through the Cortile del Michelozzo. The masks, created by Florentine craftsmen using the papier-mâché processing technique, will be distributed here. Sters, a mask icon of the Florentine carnival developed in the eighteenth century by the artist Luigi Del Buono and rising to the “identity” of the territory, will greet those present. With him, several judicial figures will accompany persons in the presence, like the master of ceremony.
The Carnival Association of Florence has picked “Regine at Palazzo” as the theme for the 2024 edition, which will be augmented by a Venetian-style parade-show by Antonia Sauter, creator of Il Ballo del Doge.
The first segment of the parade will include historical queens. “I am very excited and grateful to have my” queens “parade in the exquisite setting of Palazzo Vecchio” comments Antonia Saush, who discloses “for this particular event, my queens who tell Florence will be three. In addition to Caterina de ‘Medici, one Queen Fiera, sardonic and belligerent that has accompanied me for many years, I have in fact produced two new historical costumes dedicated to the exquisite Eleonora da Toledo and the refined Anna Maria Luisa de ‘Medici, like “Eletrice Palatina” the palatine electrician.
The latter two have never worn a real crown. However, as I frequently say, every woman is a queen in her soul! In particular, these two women gave us a really royal heritage via their loyalty and persistent passion for Florence, art, and beauty: Palazzo Pitti serves as the Uffizi’s Treasury.
At the parade of the queens of history, the one dedicated to the queens of the imagination will follow, including Titania, the Queen of the Fairies, as well as the queen of the night and the queen of love, as a prelude to a scenic picture dedicated to the meeting between the two cities, with the Queen of the Mari (Venice) and in the Queen of the Renaissance (Florence). All in the company of an extraordinary godmother, Kiera Chaplin.
The evening will follow a menu inspired by Tuscany and Carnival traditions. During the evening, there will be an auction with all proceeds going to the Villa Lorenzi project and the You Foundation – Education for Children in Need. Following the Gran Gala in Mask, the party will continue with the Grand Ball of Carnival in the Cortile della Dogana, where 22 vintage costumes, artists from the world of fantasy, evening dresses, and masks will excite the big carnival dance. The evening is by reservation; full details are available at: www.carnevaledifirenze.com.
The Florence Carnival resumes on Sunday, January 28, with a parade through the historic center’s streets. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and conclude at 7 p.m. at Piazza della Signoria, with music, face painting, masks, and jugglers.
