Monday, 06 September 2010 10:29

Carnival of Sauris

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Carnival of Sauris in Carnia Carnival of Sauris in Carnia

The carnival of Sauris in the mountainous Carnia territory of Friuli Venezia Giulia typically takes place in the second half of February. Sauris is, in fact, the highest town in the region and it is very cold at this time of the year. Perhaps that's why the original German inhabitants chose it as their new home from home.

The carnival is one of the oldest in the Alps and the language, traditions and architecture of this past are still present, not least in the name of the carnival 'Voshankh'. It is characterised with wooden masks and walks in the local forest with lanterns along snow filled paths.

The main protagonists are the 'Rölar' and the 'Kheirar'. The Rölar is a magic, armed, demon figure whose role is to warm everyone up for the evening's events. His name derives from 'rolelan', the bells attached to his body which ring out as he moves.

The Kheirar is the king of the masked demons who leads the ceremonies. He carries a broom to beat the doors of the inhabitants in Sauris where he wants to enter. He brushes their floors and introduces a couple of masked creatures.

One is ugly (schentena schembln) and one beautiful (scheana schembln) who do a little dance to the accompaniment of an accordion. The mask are based on original models found the Museum of Arts and Popular Traditions of Tolmezzo.

The Carnival evening ends with stops in the typical wooden and stone 'baite' where mulled wine is offered and the fine local ham.

www.sauris.com

 

Last modified on Thursday, 09 February 2012 09:44

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