"El Banderal"
Carnival-style event taking place in Carano every 4 years. Young people meet to "menar la bandiera" (wave the flag) in front of the authorities and to visit the unmarried girls of the village.
Who is coming to Val di Fiemme during Carnival can attend the traditional parades and, in particular, one of the most ancient and suggestive Carnival parties of the valley - "El Banderal" of Carano, an event happening every four years. They dusted it off in the Sixties to show the original allure of the waving of the flag. The community used to wave the flag during the most important and solemn festive occasions.
During El Banderal, people parade with their emblems, but nowadays it means more than just waving the flag as it also represents a carefree moment to go and visit the unmarried girls of the village.
According to the ancient ritual, the night before the Epiphany, the young men of the village gathered in the inns and elected the social roles that they would represent during the parade led by the 'Sovrastante', the person in charge of waving the flag, accompanied by the "Sottobanderal", the "Matazzini", the first and the second "Lacchè", the "Armigeri", the "Zani" and the "Musicanti". This Carnival tradition has its origins in an era where the rhythm of life followed the rhythm of seasons. Carnival marked the end of a long winter, the period of sacrifices and struggles and announced the forthcoming spring. This tradition is celebrated and enhanced today and is still succeeds in fascinating the audience.
The first day is at the Epiphany, when the young men "get married" to the unmarried girls of the village. On the Banderal day, these girls must bake some cakes in return for the invitation to the ball that would take place on the Fat Tuesday's night. According to the tradition, 3 young men receive the task of waving the flag; other 4 dance around the flag; the others deliver the invitation to the girls. The funny "Compagnia" look and support them.
