Carnival of Ivrea, also known as the Carnival of the Oranges, is one of Italy’s most colourful and historic carnivals that is steeped in tradition. It is an Italian event of international importance and is held annually before the onset of lent in the Piedmontese town of Ivrea. The carnival dates to the Middle Ages and is a symbolic representation marking the freedom of Ivrea from oppression, starvation and tyranny.
The carnival first took place in Ivrea in 1808 when the city’s French administrators decided to combine all the rowdy celebrations into one large carnival celebration. The highlight of the carnival is the Battle of the Oranges which is the largest food fight in Italy, where over 500,000 pounds of oranges are thrown throughout the city’s main streets and squares.
The Battle of the Oranges commemorates the civil war that occurred between the people of Ivrea and the Royal Napoleonic Troops, which broke out the day after hated tyrant Raineri di Biandrate, was slain. The protagonist of the carnival is a young heroine named Violetta, who was the daughter of the local Miller. Legend has it that she was the brave young lady that killed the tyrant Conte Ranieri di Biandrate.
The Battle of Oranges is fought between nine different teams who are divided by district and each team has its own colours, clothing and symbols. The Nine Tribes each have their own distinct history and story and you join a team based on district or family/friend allegiances. Once you have joined a team, you support it for life.
You can read more Carnivaland.com.
You will need one of those red caps, if you don’t want participate in the orange throwing
My video below: