Carnival in Termini Imerese
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.
Dates and Scheduling
23 Feb 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Official opening of the Carnival with the parade of masked groups and the Carro dei Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
17:30 Delivery of the City Keys to the Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
18:30 Inauguration: The House of the Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
21:00 Vertical Stage
dal Palazzo Comunale
Chiaramente – TrioTantillo – Ponente
24 Feb 2025
16:00 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
17:00 Workshop Competition: Paper Mache.
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
19:30 Meeting with the Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
21:30 CarnevalCool DjSet (Casa dei Nanni).
25 Feb 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
17:00 Competition: Carnival sweets.
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
18:30 HipHopCarnival Masked lesson and jam from 7 years of age.
21:30 AmuniACarnalivari – DjSet (Casa dei Nanni).
26 Feb 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
17:00 Workshop Competition: I Maccarruna Na Maidda.
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
18:30 DanceHallCarnival Masked lesson and jam from 12 years of age.
21:30 Carneval Caraibico (Casa dei Nanni).
27 Feb 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
17:00 Workshop Competition: Masks and Caps.
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
21:00 The Matryoshkas: The dances of the Classical Mazurka and Controdanza tradition (Casa dei Nanni).
28 Feb 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
Piazza Duomo
17:00 Narration of the stories of the Termitano Carnival.
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
18:30 Let's build the historical characters of the Carnival together.
21:00 Musical Entertainment (Casa dei Nanni)
Sirah – SpinRockets
1 Mar 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Carneval Village opening.
Piazza Duomo
17:30 Awarding of Carnival Competitions.
Piazza Duomo
18:00 Mapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
21:00 Vertical Stage
Palazzo Comunale
CarnevalCool djset by Apericool
2 Mar 2025
PAYMENT ENTRY
12:00 Opening of the Carnival Circuit – Piazza Marina.
Piazza Marina
16:00 Official opening of the Carnival with the parade of masked groups and allegorical carts.
16:30 - 19:00 The groups and floats will alternate on and in front of the stage to present their show to the Jury of the Ancient Termitano Carnival.
20:30 Show
Show DJ Set Radio Italia Party.
3 Mar 2025
Free entrance
09:30 Great Schools Parade. Gathering in Piazza Duomo.
Piazza Duomo
“Between history and legend – The elements of Sicilian nature”
4 Mar 2025
Free entrance
16:00 Grand parade of masked groups and allegorical carts.
Via Vittorio Amedeo
16:30 Opening of the Casa dei Nanni.
18:00 VideoMapping: The Carnival that renews itself, Artistic Projection.
Piazza Duomo
20:30 Reading of the Testament.
21:00 Vertical Stage
BubasBand – Michela Sacco Quartet – Il bello il bullo il grattino
22:30 AWARDS
23:00 Fireworks show and closing of the Termitano Carnival.
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References
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