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perugia’s carnevale Celebrations: The Return of Bartoccio
The city of Perugia is gearing up for the fifteenth edition of the “Giornate del Bartoccio” (Days of Bartoccio) in 2026, a vibrant celebration of its customary masked figure. The festivities, organized by the Società del Bartoccio, promise a blend of concerts, culinary experiences, performances, and satirical commentary, honoring both tradition and innovation. This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Mario Mirabassi, a renowned puppeteer and marionette artist who considerably contributed to the Bartoccio tradition.
A Week of Festivities
The celebrations kick off on Thursday, February 5th, at the Biblioteca di Ripa with the presentation of “A tavola nun se ‘nvecchia. 150 ricette per magna’ a la perugina” (At the table, one doesn’t grow old. 150 recipes for eating in the Perugia style), a cookbook featuring local cuisine. The presentation will include contributions from Graziano Vinti,Francesca Silvestri,Renzo Zuccherini,and Roberto Cecchetti,with musical accompaniment on the accordion.
the Bartocciata Competition
On Friday, February 6th, the Circolo di Ponte d’Oddi will host the annual “Gara di Bartocciate” (Bartocciata Competition). This unique event, led by Graziano Vinti (who embodies the Bartoccio character), challenges Perugia’s poets to create the most witty and biting satirical verses, known as “bartocciate.”
Honoring Mario Mirabassi
Saturday, February 7th, will be a especially poignant day with a tribute to Mario Mirabassi at the Teatro di Figura. The Società del Bartoccio, in collaboration with Famiglia Perugina and Associazione Borgobello, will host a meeting featuring Piergiorgio Giacchè, Emidio De Albentiis, Ada Mirabassi (Mario’s daughter and director of the Teatro di Figura), Orfeo Ambrosi, Francesco Parroni, and coordinated by renzo Zuccherini. The Famiglia Perugina will present the Grifone d’onore (Golden Griffin award) posthumously to Mirabassi, and attendees will have the prospect to tour the Museo delle Marionette (Puppet Museum) guided by Ada Mirabassi.
Carnival Merriment and “TeleBartoccio“
The carnival spirit will be in full swing on Saturday evening, February 7th, with a masked ball at the Circolo Dipendenti Perugina. A surprise highlight of this year’s Carnevale is the debut of “TeleBartoccio” on Wednesday, February 11th, at the Società di mutuo Soccorso. This new production, created by Maurizio Modesti, promises satirical commentary on current events.
Music and the Grand Finale
friday, February 13th, will feature a concert by the ‘Coro dei Pezzenti