Costume party for kids

In Val di Fassa, Carnival is one of the most fascinating and representative moments of Ladin traditions, as well as a big, coloured folk celebration. From 17th January to Shrove Tuesday, in the villages of the valley the atavistic rites of passage from winter to the rebirth of spring are renewed with modern formulas. For centuries, this moment represented the happiest time of the year, awaited with joy by the elderly, who could become children again amidst jokes and witty banter, also counting on the "cover" of the "faceres" - the wooden masks of exceptional workmanship made by Fassa's most famous sculptors - and above all by the young people, who would get married between February and March.

Today, Mardi Gras is eagerly awaited by children, who can dress up as superheroes, princesses and favourite characters for the whole day. On 13th February in Moena, the masks meet in the square "Piaz de Sotegrava", at 2 p.m., and then parade along the streets of the village, throwing confetti, streamers and perhaps playing a few tricks on the amused onlookers. The celebrations continue at "Fiabilandia" park, nearby the church, with music, entertainment, group dances, face-painting and a tasty snack.

Admission to the park is free of charge, with the possibility of using bobsleighs/sleds/mini-snowbikes and the treadmill for the ascent (suitable shoes and gloves recommended). In case the park isn’t accessible, the programme will be subject to change.

It is not Carnival without tasting the typical sweets, such as "grostoli", apple fritters, "fortaes" (delicious fried dough in the characteristic snail shape enriched with Nutella or cranberry jam) and "grafons" (sweet fried ravioli filled with jam or sultanas). They are prepared by bakeries, pastry shops, delicatessens, refuges, restaurants and agritourism farms in the valley.

In the days leading up to Carnival, "Laché", "Bufon", and "Marascons", the colourful leading masks of the Ladin Carnival, appear in the streets of Alba, Penìa and Canazei. Moena, too, had its typical masks, which today are rarely seen at parades, such as the "Lonc", infernal spirits, spectral figures hoisted on poles and covered by a long white sheet. And then there were the "Arlechigns", who had absolutely nothing to do with the Harlequin known in the rest of Italy. They were the "lords of the underworld", dressed in knee-high boots, tunic, chequered trousers, bells and conical headgear; their faces were concealed by a transparent veil and they held a whip in their hands. Another Moena tradition was the participation in the procession of the inhabitants of the "Turkey" district, who walked through the centre dressed as sultans and odalisques, recalling the ancient legendary origins of this part of the town. The carnival masks are on display throughout the year at the Ladin Museum in a special room dedicated to Fassa rituals.