Nascita (english)

The Carnival of Misterbianco originated from an old tradition tied to the “comari” (meaning gossip). On the Thursday preceding Maundy Thursday which is known as “the Thursday of gossip”, women from various quarters would meet in the afternoon in order to chat, gossip and eat together. In the evening they would wear the “dominò” (a tunic with a black satin cloak) and a small mask which made them unrecognizeable. They would meet in the square for the traditional carnival ball in order to “conquer their sweetheart”. During the day, there would be spontaneous shows linked to the archaic and peasant tradition of the put-on and the delicatessen “celebration”, which gladdened the spectators along the city streets.

From the “dominò” to the “most beautiful Sicilian costumes”, the evolution has been long and laborious. In the 1970s, some masked, haggard-looking groups started sprouting up and the first decorative floats appeared, all decorated with lights, and with amplifiers sounding Latin American music.

The 1980s saw the emergence of the first spontaneous parades and the Carnival started stepping towards the structure it has today. From the need to give continuity to the event and to involve citizens and friends, emerge the first groups which have eventually become legally recognized associations in the 1990s.