Carnevale di Corato in Puglia, maschere e sfilate a piedi

Il Carnevale di Corato has its origins straddling the end of the nineteenth century and the early years of the twentieth century. However, the improvised and spontaneous events often resulted in acts of vandalism. The desire to make the event safe, joyful, and inclusive has led over the years to the regulation of the event.

Carnevale di Corato: anni ’70

Since 1978, thanks to the strong will of the pro loco and the municipal administration, the “Carnevale Coratino” was established. Over the years, the carnival has become an eagerly awaited, festive, and participated event not only by the Ruvo community but by all the citizens of the northern Bari area.

The parades of the masked groups who march on foot have filled the main streets of Corato during carnival for decades, transforming the Apulian town into a river of colors and sounds. The Carnevale di Corato is also enriched by some symbolic masks.

Maschere tipiche del Carnevale Coratino

Only the masks of the Ruvo carnival tradition remain as a memory of the ancient Carnevale di Corato: “U Panzone“, “La Vecchiaredd“, and “U Sceriff“.

“U Panzone” (the Panzone), dating back to the late nineteenth century, is the allegory of the ostentatious wealth of the powerful and overbearing agrarian bourgeoisie.

“La Vecchiaredd” (the Vecchierella), perhaps imported from the Neapolitan tradition, represents the strength of the old generation that carries on its shoulders the new, weak, and defenseless generation still growing.

“U Sceriff” (The Sheriff), was born in the ’50s/’60s in the sign of the economic prosperity of those years and the exuberance of western heroes.

The Carnevale Coratino is enriched every year with new themes, represented by the various participating groups. There are thousands of performers, also encouraged by the large number of people who follow the event along the edge of the route. Usually, there are three key days of the Carnevale di Corato: the Sunday preceding the last days of Carnival; the Sunday of Carnival, Fat Tuesday.

The parade almost always unfolds in the same way. Participating groups, whether representing schools, parishes, or private entities, march showing costumes and choreography of the annual theme, to the rhythm of music played by a small motorized vehicle ahead of them.

After covering the entire route, all groups converge in the square adjacent to the Town Hall, where metal bleachers have been set up to allow greater enjoyment of the carnival spectacle.

The peculiarity of this carnival is not only given by the involvement of the public but also by the participation of the entire Corato community. A highly anticipated event in the city that involves several months of preparation during which craftsmen and artisans are also called together.