by InTrieste
The 31st edition of the Trieste Carnival has officially begun, bringing a week of celebrations across the city. Supported by the Municipality of Trieste, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and local organizations, the event will feature neighborhood parades, school processions, and a large-scale masked parade through the city center.
The festivities commenced on February 21 with a symbolic handover of the city’s keys in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia. The event was led by city officials, including Francesco di Paola Panteca, President of the City Council, and Antonio Paoletti, President of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce. A highlight of the opening ceremony was the parade of the European Carnival Guggenband, part of the Go!2025 initiative, along with the coronation of this year’s King and Queen of the Carnival from the Roiano district.
One of the most anticipated events of the week is the Corso Mascherato, Trieste’s traditional masked parade, set to take place on March 4. Due to ongoing construction at Porto Vecchio, the parade will not include floats this year, and the customary Palio will not be awarded. However, participants, including local districts and costumed individuals, will march through the city, starting at Piazza Oberdan and proceeding through Via Carducci, Via Reti, Via Imbriani, Corso Italia, and Piazza della Borsa before concluding at Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia.
Children play a central role in the Trieste Carnival, with a dedicated program of school and recreation center parades taking place in various neighborhoods throughout the week. The recreation center parade will be held on February 28 in Servola, beginning at 5 p.m. Other local processions will occur in Roiano, Borgo San Sergio, Barriera Vecchia, Valmaura, and San Giacomo.
Each of the seven participating districts will present a themed parade entry, with Roiano celebrating the history of bread, Barriera Vecchia highlighting fairy tale animals, and San Giacomo featuring a tribute to Mexican culture. Other districts will showcase themes rooted in local traditions and folklore.
The Carnival will conclude with the traditional funeral of the symbolic figure Cornelio in Servola on March 5, a ritual marking the end of the festivities.
Free registration for those wishing to participate in the masked parade is open via WhatsApp from February 27 to March 2. Additional details and updates can be found on the official Trieste Carnival Facebook page.
