Cento Carnival of Europe

A Carnival Four Centuries Old

The Cento Carnival of Europe is one of the most representative events of the festive heritage of Emilia-Romagna. Its origins are documented as far back as the early 17th century: the famous Cento painter Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, already depicted the town's festivals and masquerades in 1615, testifying to a tradition alive for over four centuries. Today, the Carnival takes place in the heart of the Municipality of Cento, in the province of Ferrara, along the scenic Corso Guercino.

The Five Sundays and the Allegorical Floats

The event unfolds over five Sundays between February and March. The absolute protagonists are the papier-mâché allegorical floats, true mobile architectures up to twenty meters high, built in the preceding months by the five historic carnival societies: Toponi, Fantasti100, I Ragazzi del Guercino, Mazalora 1947, and Il Risveglio. Each float presents a satirical or fantastical theme, accompanied by groups of dancers and costumed figures. The parades start at 2:00 PM and travel the circuit of the corso multiple times.

The "Gettito", A Unique Tradition

Among the most beloved and distinctive elements of the Cento Carnival is the gettito: from the top of the floats, a colorful cascade of gifts, plush toys, inflatable balls, lifebuoys, and all kinds of toys is showered upon the crowd. It is a moment of collective celebration that especially involves the youngest and which the people of Cento claim as their own invention.

The Twinning with Rio de Janeiro

In 1993, Cento became the first and only city in the world officially twinned with the Carnival of Rio de Janeiro. This extraordinary bond has led Cento delegations to parade with their own float in the legendary Brazilian Sambadrome during the "Night of the Champions," in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators. The twinning gives the event an international dimension that distinguishes it from any other Italian carnival.

Shows, Guests, and Grand Finale

In addition to the parades, the program includes concerts by national artists, shows, collateral events, and guided tours of the city of Guercino. The last Sunday concludes with the awarding of the winning float in Piazza Guercino, the reading of the "Testamento" (Will), and the traditional burning of the Tasi mask, followed by a spectacular pyromusical show.