From 5 to 14 February, the Perugian Carnival comes alive with the Days of the Bartoccio, a celebration of culture, satire, music, popular traditions, and the sharp irony that has always defined Perugia’s rustic carnival mask.

Festivities begin on Thursday, 5 February, at the Ripa Library with an event steeped in homely flavors and culinary memory: the presentation of the book
“A tavola nun se ’nvecchia. 150 ricette per magna’ a la perugina” (At the table, one never grows old – 150 recipes in the Perugian style).
Stories, tastes, and gastronomic traditions will be shared by Graziano Vinti, Francesca Silvestri, and Renzo Zuccherini, accompanied by Roberto Cecchetti on the accordion.

On Friday, 6 February, the Ponte d’Oddi Social Club hosts the much-awaited Bartocciate Competition, led by Bartoccio himself (Graziano Vinti). Local poets challenge one another with sharp, satirical verses to win the title of “Bartocciata of the Year.” A small traditional bite will follow, and at 9:00 pm the cookbook presentation will take place again.

A particularly meaningful event will be held on Saturday, 7 February, at the Theatre of Figurative Arts:
“Mario Mirabassi, Artist and Master.” Speakers include Piergiorgio Giacchè, Emidio De Albentiis, Ada Mirabassi, Orfeo Ambrosi, Susanna Cati, and Francesco Parroni, coordinated by Renzo Zuccherini. The Grifone d’Onore award will be presented in memory. Afterwards, visitors will tour the MuMa – Marionette Museum.
That evening at 8:00 pm, the Bartoccio Grand Masked Ball takes place at the Perugina Employees’ Club.

On Wednesday, 11 February, the Mutual Aid Society presents TeleBartoccio, a satirical video project on current affairs by Maurizio Modesti.

Traditional oral singing returns on Friday, 13 February, at the ANPI Bonfigli Tomovic Section, with the Coro dei Pezzenti concert
“Our Homeland Is the Whole World,” featuring popular and protest songs.

The Carnival concludes on Saturday, 14 February, with the lively Bartoccio Walk, starting from the crossroads of Corso Cavour, proceeding along Corso Vannucci, and ending in Piazza Matteotti. At the Loggia dei Lanari, Bartoccio will recite a satirical poem addressed to the Mayor, who will symbolically hand over the keys of the city, proclaiming him King of Carnival. The Bartocciate Competition awards ceremony will close the celebrations.