by InTrieste
The 31st edition of the Trieste Carnival will take center stage this week with its much-anticipated events, including the Masked Parade through the city center and the traditional Ash Wednesday funeral. While the absence of floats due to construction at the Porto Vecchio-Porto Vivo area has altered the festivities slightly, organizers have promised a vibrant celebration filled with surprises and emotional moments for both locals and visitors.
One of the highlights of the Carnival is the Corso Mascherato (Masked Parade), set to take place on Tuesday, March 4. This year, the parade will feature seven participating districts, each presenting a theme ranging from the historical to the fantastical. The districts and their themes include:
- Roiano: The Story of the Bread Told by Roian
- Barriera Vecchia: Fairy Tale Animals
- Valmaura: The Genius of Trieste, Always with the “Morbin”…
- San Giacomo: Mexicans in Trieste
- Cittavecchia San Giusto: Whatever Happens, It Will Be a Success
- Borgo San Sergio: Bacoli, Mussati, and Fantastic Creatures of the Under-Borgo
- Servola: Energy of Servola
The parade, which will be led by announcer Maurizio Testi for the twelfth consecutive year, will start at 2:00 PM from Piazza Oberdan. It will pass through Via Carducci, Via Reti, Via Imbriani, Corso Italia, and Piazza della Borsa, before concluding in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia. This year, Testi will be joined by Showman Mauro Manni, a long-time entertainer in Piazza dell’Unità d’Italia.
Despite the lack of the usual floats, the Carnival will still offer a colorful and festive atmosphere, thanks to the large number of participants, many of whom are children—the heart of Trieste’s Carnival tradition. Groups and individuals have been able to sign up free of charge, continuing the event’s commitment to inclusivity and community participation.
The festivities will continue into the evening with a somber tradition. At midnight, a wake will be held in Servola for the “poor Cornelio,” marking the beginning of the Carnival’s conclusion.
On Wednesday, March 5, the Carnival’s final act, the Funerale del Carnevale (Carnival Funeral), will take place. This ritual will see a funeral procession through Servola at 3:30 PM, with the grieving wife, lover, and children following the body to a ceremonial bonfire.
The Trieste Carnival is organized by the Coordinating Committee of the Trieste Carnival, with support from the City of Trieste and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Local transport services, including Trieste Trasporti, have also been involved in ensuring the event’s success.
This year’s edition promises to be an event full of both tradition and innovation, as organizers work to maintain the Carnival’s spirit while adapting to new circumstances. For updates and further details, visitors can follow the Carnival’s official Facebook page, Il Carnevale di Trieste.
