Taurano Carnival

A rural carnival in the heart of the Vallo di Lauro

The Taurano Carnival is much more than a costume parade: it is the enactment of a rural heritage that has never truly faded in Taurano, in the province of Avellino. Nestled in the Vallo di Lauro, at the foot of the mountains separating Irpinia from the Nola area, the town preserves a repertoire of dances, songs, and carnival rites that have been lost elsewhere. Every year, in the days leading up to Lent, the streets of the historic center and the main square fill with costumed groups, decorated tractors, and entire families who participate in the festival not as spectators, but as protagonists.

The Quadrille, a dance from 1799

The heart of the event is the quadrille, a folk dance that local tradition traces back to the French presence in Campania during the days of the Parthenopean Republic of 1799. In Taurano, it is performed by twelve couples and involves children, young people, and married couples from the town at different times of the day. The 'La Quadriglia' folk group has been preserving its figures, steps, and costumes for decades, passing them down from generation to generation through patient teaching that begins as early as school age.

The 'Laccio d'Amore', or 'ballintrezzo'

Alongside the quadrille, the Laccio d'Amore (Ribbon Dance) is performed, also known as the 'ballintrezzo': twenty-four colored ribbons are held by twelve dancers around a central pole. As they dance in a circle, they weave the ribbons until the pole is completely covered, then unwind them by retracing their steps. It is a dance of rural origin linked to rites of passage, the entry of young people into adulthood, and the earth's fertility cycle: one of the few remaining examples of this choreography in Campania, requiring absolute precision and extensive preparation.

'I mise': the parade of the twelve months

The day opens with the parade of the 'mise', which refers to the months of the year in the local dialect. Twelve young people, each dressed and characterized according to the month they represent, recite the qualities and flaws of their season in verse: the cold of January, the rains of April, the toil of the harvest, the abundance of autumn. The procession is accompanied by decorated tractors and floats created by the local districts, which are awarded prizes for originality, humor, and beauty. It is the most popular and photographed moment of the festival, as it combines local wit with the precision of an agricultural calendar told aloud.

The funeral of the Carnival

The event concludes with the funeral of the Carnival, a closing rite of great dramatic power. Once the performances are over, the funeral procession of the deceased Carnival leaves the square: the coffin and catafalque, the mourning women, the figures scattering incense, and the mayor wearing the tricolor sash who officially certifies the 'death' of the king of the festival. Behind the parody lies the deep meaning of the carnival cycle: the end of excess, the transition to Lent, and the return to the ordinary time of working in the fields.

A rediscovered and protected tradition

The Taurano Carnival in its current form stems from a conscious rediscovery project carried out by the Pro Loco Taurano together with the municipal administration, which over the years has recovered repertoires, texts, and costumes that were at risk of disappearing. The event has also taken on a dimension of exchange between communities, hosting folk groups from other towns and dedicating an award, the Premio Olindo Aprano, to the historic organizer who linked his name to the festival. Admission is always free, in keeping with the community spirit of the event.

Taurano and the surrounding area

Taurano has just over 1,500 inhabitants and is one of the smallest municipalities in the province of Avellino, overlooking the Vallo di Lauro plain. The town is also known for the San Giovanni del Palco convent and the Gnocchi Festival that enlivens its summer. Visitors arriving for the Carnival will find a compact village, easily explored on foot, where the festival stages follow one another just a few dozen meters apart, amidst Irpinian cuisine and traditional carnival fritters.

Tips for participants

• The center of Taurano is small and partially closed to traffic during the parades: it is best to leave your car in the parking areas on the outskirts of the town.
• The performances take place outdoors in the afternoon: it is advisable to arrive early and dress in layers.
• The quadrille and the ribbon dance are group dances: those who wish can join the final rounds by following the dancers' instructions.