Troia Carnival — Sckrì Sckrì Sckrò

The Troia Carnival: Masks and Rural Heritage

The Troia Carnival «Sckrì Sckrì Sckrò» is the main winter folk festival in Troia, a town in the Monti Dauni known for its stunning Romanesque cathedral, located in the province of Foggia, Apulia. Every year, during the Carnival season, the historic center comes alive with masks, colors, music, and rituals deeply rooted in the rural culture of the Capitanata region. The event is promoted by Pro Loco Troia APS with the patronage of the Municipality of Troia.

The Name and the Dialect Rhyme

The festival's name originates from an ancient rhyme in the local Troia dialect — «Sckrì – Sckrì – Sckrò» — which was recited from house to house by groups of masked revelers during the 1940s and 1950s. In exchange for the verses, often accompanied by playful role-playing and costumes, they would receive eggs, cured meats, and wine, in a ritual of begging and sharing typical of rural civilization.

The Rituals of the Festival

The Troia Carnival preserves unique rituals that define its identity. During the festivities, a parade of papier-mâché masks winds through the streets, leading to the most scenic moment: the «Wedding in the Square», an allegorical wedding procession that concludes in Piazza Cattedrale. The event ends with the Carnival Funeral, an ironic and cathartic ritual marking the end of the festive period, followed by the popular banquet «U Ch'nzò'l», a convivial moment that brings the entire community together.

• Where: Historic center of Troia (Piazza Seripando, Piazza Cattedrale, Piazza della Vittoria, Piazza Giovanni XXIII)
• When: During the Carnival period, between February and March
• Organizer: Pro Loco Troia APS, with the patronage of the Municipality of Troia
• Admission: Free

A Festival of Community and Inclusion

Alongside traditional events, recent editions have placed great emphasis on the Inclusive Carnival, with days dedicated to young people, schools, and moments of solidarity. The Troia Carnival has thus become an opportunity to rediscover the intangible heritage of the Monti Dauni and to experience Troia during one of its most authentic seasons.