The Fano Carnival: an ancient Marche tradition between history, joy and sweetness

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If you have Marche origins and want to discover the traditions of your land, you cannot miss the Fano Carnival, one of the oldest and most spectacular celebrations in Italy. Second only to the Venice Carnival, this festival has its roots in history and represents a moment of great popular participation, made up of parades, colors, music and, above all, sweets that rain from the sky!

The origins of a centuries-old Carnival

The first documented evidence of the Fano Carnival dates back to 1347, when the city celebrated peace between two noble families with dances and masks. Over the centuries, this celebration has grown to become the event we know today: an explosion of joy that attracts thousands of spectators from all over Italy and abroad.

The jet

Every year, during the days of the Carnival, the streets of Fano are filled with monumental allegorical floats, built with great skill by local artists. These papier-mâché giants, illuminated and animated, parade along the main street of the city, throwing tons of candies and chocolates at those present in a unique custom: the Getto. This tradition makes the Fano Carnival the “sweetest” in Italy, because here the public does not just watch the parade, but actively participates by trying to grab as many sweets as possible.

The Vulón: the symbolic mask of the Fano Carnival

Every Carnival has its own symbolic mask, and Fano is no exception. The undisputed protagonist of the festival is the Vulón, a satirical and irreverent character who embodies the ironic and goliardic spirit of the city. With its funny appearance and mocking smile, the Vulón represents the Fano carnival tradition and symbolizes freedom of expression and the joy of the party.

El Vulón

His name derives from the local dialect and indicates a witty person, a bit of a joker, always ready for jokes and teasing. Just as it happened in ancient carnivals, when people took advantage of the festival to make fun of the powerful, the Vulón reminds us that Carnival is also a time to joke and overturn the rules of everyday life for a few days.

Music, lights and fun for young and old

Arabic music

In addition to the floats and the Getto, the Fano Carnival offers a rich program of events: concerts, theatrical performances, historical re-enactments and workshops for children. The little ones can have fun with the parades of mini-floats, while adults can admire the master floaters at work in the papier-mâché workshops, where the imposing allegorical constructions come to life.

To make the atmosphere even more special is the Musica Arabita, a folk band that plays bizarre instruments, often created with everyday objects. Their overwhelming rhythm accompanies the party, giving a unique and engaging experience.

A bridge between past and present for Italian-descendants

For Italian-descendants with Marche roots, the Fano Carnival is an extraordinary opportunity to rediscover their origins and experience a tradition that has spanned the centuries. It is a time when history meets modernity, keeping intact the festive and communal spirit that has always characterized this celebration.

Allegorical floats of the Fano Carnival

Participating in the Fano Carnival means immersing yourself in an authentic experience, made up of colors, sounds and flavors that speak of the culture of the Marche region. It is an opportunity to feel part of a big family, that of the Marche, and to pass on to the new generations the link with one’s homeland.

If you have never experienced this festival, mark it on the calendar: the Fano Carnival awaits you with its riot of masks, floats and sweets raining down from the sky!