Tarantasca Carnival

The Tarantasca Carnival

In the heart of the Cuneo plains, the small town of Tarantasca, in the Province of Cuneo (Piedmont), celebrates its carnival every year with a dual spirit: an evening party dedicated to adults and a day of entertainment designed for the little ones. The guiding thread is provided by the town's two official masks, Madama Tarantasia and Cavalier Caranta, accompanied by the Court Maidens, figures that evoke the very origins of the town's name.

The town's masks

Madama Tarantasia and Cavalier Caranta are the symbolic characters of the Tarantasca community: their official presentation each year marks the beginning of the festivities. The masks do not remain confined to the town, but also participate in parades and carnivals in other towns of the Granda area, spreading the identity of Tarantasca.

El Carlevè et Tarantasca, the masked evening

The first part of the festivities is dedicated to adults: the El Carlevè et Tarantasca evening, organized by the Gruppo Eventi Tarantasca, takes place at the Salone Polivalente and offers a buffet aperitif, a convivial dinner, music, and a masked ball with a DJ set, as well as an award for the most original costume. It is a festive moment that brings together families, young people, and adults in the joyful spirit of Carnival.

The children's carnival

The second part is the Children's Carnival, organized by the Friends of the Library Association in collaboration with the municipal administration. Now in its twentieth year, it features a gathering in Piazza Fratelli Giordana, in front of the Senior Center, followed by a parade with the town's masks to the Salone Polivalente, where children find games, entertainment, and a snack provided by the municipality.

The San Defendente district

The carnival tradition of the area does not end in the main town: the district of San Defendente, shared between the municipalities of Busca and Tarantasca, has its own masks, Re Calamaro and Regina Seppia, accompanied by Mermaids and Pages, the result of a fanciful local legend. These figures also enliven the carnivals of the Cuneo territory.

A community carnival

More than just a large spectacular event, the Tarantasca Carnival is an authentic village festival, built by volunteers and local associations. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Piedmontese conviviality and the folk traditions of the Cuneo plains, far from mass tourism circuits.