Carnival in Termini Imerese 2025

The Carnival in Termini Imerese, also known as Carnevale Termitano di Sicilia, is one of the most important carnival events on the island.
The Carnival of Termini Imerese is also one of the oldest carnivals in Italy and still retains its own traditions and masks. The carnival event of Termini Imerese is in fact the direct heir of the Carnival of Palermo celebrated in the Sicilian capital since the 16th century, and rediscovered only a few years ago.
The Carnival of Termini Imerese presents every year a calendar full of events and manifestations: parades of allegorical carts and masked groups, musical and entertainment shows, music and dances in the square.
The Termini Imerese Carnival is one of the oldest Carnival in Sicily and its history has its roots in 1848 when a revolt against the Bourbons was taking place in the city. According to popular tradition, following this revolt, a group of Neapolitans arrived in the city, called napoliti who were welcomed and integrated into the community. To thank the Neapolitans for the hospitality received, on the occasion of the carnival, they organized an impromptu party in which the locals participated with pleasure. Initially the festival took place only in the peripheral and poorer neighborhoods, places where most of the Neapolitans lived, but over the years the festival involved the entire population of Termini Imerese and became one of the most important events in Southern Italy.

There are two masks of the Termini Imerese carnival that testify to its ancient origin: the mask of Nannu, or grandfather, and the mask of Nanna, the grandmother.
The Nannu is the king of the pagan Carnival. He is a short man, well-groomed despite his advanced age, who throws sweets at children and women, and reserves inelegant gestures for men: he carries turnips and fennel with him for his offensive intentions. On Shrove Tuesday evening, his mask is burned. The burning of Nannu's mask symbolically represents the purification of all citizens preparing for the period of Lent.
The figure of Nanna is represented in two different ways because its history is ancient and little known.
According to one interpretation, nanna is represented as a thin and bony old lady, with a gray and pink dress and a hat decorated with flowers. It represents the penance and fasting that will follow during Lent.
The second interpretation sees Nanna as a very fat elderly lady who distributes hazelnuts, sugared almonds, oranges and coins. It is a propitiatory symbol of abundance for the following year.

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