From 8 February to 2 March, the Days of Bartoccio return, the Perugian mask of the burlesque villan, wealthy but crude, ignorant but cunning, characterised by fat conviviality and a strong dialectal accent. Every year at carnival, he triumphantly enters Perugia aboard a decorated ox-drawn cart where he plays, dances and sings along with his wife Rosa, throwing sheets containing ‘bartocciate’, satires and political attacks, into the crowd.

It starts on 8 February at the Circolo del Gotto with the presentation of the book ‘La canzone perugina2. History and characters' by Renzo Zuccherini, accompanied by an afternoon of music with Mirco Bonucci, Roberto Cecchetti and Francesca Lisetto. On 10 February, the Museo del Giocattolo will host an exhibition of the posters of the Giornate del Bartoccio (Bartoccio Days), curated by Luciano Zeetti, who will illustrate the representations of the Perugian mask over time. On 14 February, the Circolo Anpi will host the concert ‘D'altrocanto’, with popular and protest songs performed by the Coro dei Pezzenti. On 22 February, at the Teatro di Figura, the Gara di Bartocciate will take place, a challenge between Perugian poets to proclaim the ‘Bartocciate of the year’. On 27 February, the Circolo del Tempo bono will host the Tombolata del giovedì grasso, with a tasting of strufoli. On 1 March, the Caminata del Bartoccio will be held, led by the Bartoccio himself. Finally, on 2 March, another carnival parade will be held to close the celebrations.

For the full programme click here.