Carnevaletto Va Casa Casa

Carnevaletto Va Casa Casa: an ancient ritual in the heart of the Teatine Abruzzo

In the small town of Torrevecchia Teatina, in the province of Chieti, the Carnevaletto Va Casa Casa is much more than a simple masquerade parade: it is a ritual of passage, transformation, and good omens rooted in Abruzzo's rural culture. The event, preserved and promoted by the Compagnia Tradizioni Teatine together with the Penelope Association and the municipal administration, has become a defining cultural heritage of the town.

The Pulcinella parade and the "sdijunɘ" ritual

The procession comes to life in Piazza San Rocco with characters wearing traditional Pulcinella costumes, recognizable by their enormous conical hats adorned with flowers and zagarelle, the typical colorful ribbons. This marks the heart of the festival: they go from house to house — known as "sdijunɘ" in the local dialect — for abundant banquets that recreate the ancient communal ritual.

The protagonists: King Carnival, his wife, and the Carnevaletto

The procession visits the homes of the festival's protagonists: King Carnival, his wife, and their son, the Carnevaletto, who gives the event its name. The lively, noisy procession has strong apotropaic value: they sing the famous "song of the twelve months" and other traditional folk songs to ward off evil and ensure a prosperous year.

The trial and burning of King Carnival

The day culminates in the square with a theatrical performance of the trial of King Carnival — complete with a defendant, lawyer, and public prosecutor — followed by the final burning. According to rural tradition, the ashes of the Carnival were once used to fertilize the fields to ensure a good harvest, inextricably linking the festival to the cycle of the seasons and the land.

The gastronomy of the festival

The Carnevaletto is also a journey through the flavors of Abruzzo's carnival cuisine. Along the route, traditional dishes are shared, such as:

• Polenta and "rognose" omelets with liver or sausage
• Large ravioli and sweet macaroni with honey, walnuts, and cinnamon
• Fried pastries such as frappe, castagnole, and cicerchiata

A tradition of the Torrevecchia Teatina community

Open to families and children, with entertainment and games for the little ones, the event involves the entire town and attracts visitors from across the province of Chieti. Today, the Carnevaletto Va Casa Casa represents one of the most genuine expressions of the popular carnival in Abruzzo, capable of passing down the gestures, songs, and flavors of a community that continues to recognize itself in its roots.