In the newsletter "Together" in the year 1978 - Year I No 1, p.. 4 and 5 - was published an article that tells the Carnival, "as it once was" and "it is now."
as it once was, is told like this:
"San Bastianu them maschiri or 'chianu," said an old saying, and indeed, January 20, the day of San Sebastian, began the great feast of the carnival, with dance masked in those makeshift dance halls that were the homes of all.
But this was only the prelude to the great amusement the last days of the carnival had to be spectacular to hear what they tell the old ones.
First there was a group of dancers, consisting of at least thirty couples and a "puddicinedda" who ran the dance.
The couple was formed by two men, one of whom was dressed as a woman and the other was dressed as a sailor. The "puddicinedda" was completely dressed in white with a large cone-shaped hat full of ribbons and a tambourine in her hand.
Then there were the "picurari" that served as "lanes" were in fact branches of knapsack full of pungent that people close to them was forced to back off doing it this way space for the dancers.
Besides them there were the "sparacanigghia" who went sollucchero firing a yellowish powder and punches.
Close the "old ca Scupi" behind which there was a crowd of boys attempting to set fire to the tow twisted the stick in his hand, while she was leading with a stick barrel orbi. This picturesque
toured together all the town's streets, stopping and dancing where space permits, and were often solemn eaten with bread, olives and, rarely, sausages generous offers from some well-off.
There was the chariot of the fishermen, from which hung long rods homemade cookies that the children tried to catch, the hospital doctors faced with difficult tasks by extracting huge bones and guts infinite, then there was the chariot of the court where judges, defendants and lawyers were engaged in protracted litigation to process "King Carnival".
There was ... There was .... Looks like a fable, was once the carnival, but it is completely dead or still soprevvive?
.- How now, so it is told:
"In the days of the month of February, 5-6-7 (1978 ) there was the carnival.
year was organized by a group of young people who, in collaboration with the Sisters and Father Louis, as they could have organized this festival.
The first Girne Sunday, was organized a parade of masks, accompanied by music that, unfortunately, was only registered.
the evening groups of masks have turned the town's houses, bringing a little joy 'everywhere. Unfortunately, they were few and masks both houses in which he was allowed entry because isolationism that has been created, it also prevents a good time. The
Monday was a day of rest. You had to play in the afternoon a football match between students traveling to Patti Oliveri and those traveling to Milazzo.
But it has not disputed by the absence of some members of both teams.
Tuesday, last day, has organized a parade of floats, one of which was a cage in which were contained in two very funny monkeys that were interpreted by two guys. On
, richly decorated with palm trees, wreaths, etc.., Were the boys who were throwing confetti at right and left. Meanwhile, an accordion, played good Vito Alcamo, congratulated the people who followed the parade. Some guys
distributed sweets, while others were creating joy in the streets of the country.
The highlight of the parade has been in the square where he danced and we have seen the "death" of death that was interpreted by one of our dear neighbor.
the evening of Tuesday, the groups of masks that went around the houses were very few because of bad weather that at times was lacking electricity ".-
______________________________
The effective story of the magazine" Together "sets evidence in the ancient tradition of the carnival Oliveres and its evolution over time.
Obviously, since 1978 there has been a further development due to a combination of factors. But most of all the civil and economic progress of modern society.
For honor and merit of the old characters, then it should be noted that both the culture that the rules do not allow the distribution of grants by local authorities.
Everything was organized spontaneously by generous volunteers at their expense.
Today, with the changing times, everything has improved. Just consider that the Sicilian Region legislates for the financing of many ancient traditions and events considered famous.
Among these, some carnivals .-
Antonio Amodeo
