Copertino Carnival

Carnival in the heart of Salento

The Copertino Carnival is one of the most cherished Carnival celebrations in northern Salento. Every year, during the Carnival season, the streets and squares of Copertino, in the province of Lecce, fill with color for the grand city parade: allegorical floats, masked groups, and individual costumes bring the center of this Apulian town to life, transforming it into an open-air stage of joy and lightheartedness.

"Lu Paulinu", the traditional mask

The absolute star of the festival is "Lu Paulinu", the traditional Copertino mask. The character's origins date back to the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries: according to tradition, "Lu Paulinu" was a poor farmer who arrived in town from one of the districts near Copertino. Clumsy and in poor health, he nevertheless won everyone over with his cheerful and playful spirit. A tragicomic figure, he represents the "village fool" but also human excess: legend has it that he died from eating and drinking too much, which is why he has become the symbol of the Carnival that precedes the rigors of Lent.

The parade and the route

The parade of allegorical floats winds through the historic center of Copertino, traditionally starting from Via Verdesca. The procession travels along Via E. Menga, Via Re Galantuomo, Piazza Mazzini, Piazza Umberto I, Via Tenente Colaci, Via Fratelli Bandiera, and Via Terra d'Otranto, concluding in Piazza Immacolata, in the So Carlo area, where the awards ceremony for the various competing categories takes place.

• Allegorical floats created by local groups and associations
• Masked groups and individual costumes in competition
• Final awards ceremony for the participating categories
• Involvement of schools, families, and independent youth groups

A popular and inclusive festival

The Copertino Carnival has deep roots: the event has been held in Copertino since 1981 and, in its historic editions, has been titled the Carnival of the "Peoples of the Mediterranean and Peace". The festival was born with the intent of reviving certain traditions of the past, some of which had been lost, and its success is due to the collaboration between local authorities, associations, schools, families, and especially independent youth groups, who are capable of spreading authentic creativity. The event is organized by the Municipality of Copertino in conjunction with the Pro Loco "F. Verdesca".

Copertino and Puglia

Copertino, famous for its majestic Angevin-Aragonese Castle and as the birthplace of Saint Joseph of Copertino, is one of the most characteristic destinations in Salento, in the heart of Puglia. Experiencing the Carnival in this town means immersing yourself in an authentic atmosphere, surrounded by folklore, local gastronomy, and the warmth of the Salento people.