The Cianciùta and the Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia

Since time immemorial in Francavilla di Sicilia a particular Carnival has been celebrated every year which is not limited to the classic parades of floats and masked groups. In fact, it is definitely more offensive and transgressive.

The Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia sees the participation of characters who play the part of mourners who recognize each other because they dress in white and have floured faces and other men in disguise who impersonate inconsolable widows and who have the role of showing all their pain by shouting it from the stage reserved for them in via Vittorio Emanuele. While the staging is in progress, the crowd waves banners that recall phallic attributes such as the ace of wands, cod and sausage. While not falling into vulgarity, the event aims to document the abandonment of the pleasures of the flesh due to the imminent Lent.

The story related to the event

Considered the most beautiful carnival in the area, the Cianciùta in Francavilla di Sicilia certainly one of the oldest in eastern Sicily as it has been taking place for over a century and symbolizes the funeral of lust and transgression represented by King Carnival which winds through the whole town.

In the past, the carnival atmospheres were organized by artisans who worked in the band of Francavilla di Sicilia who, before the balls, paraded through the center with improbable costumes playing typical music still sung today such as "Ci 'u visa" and the "Fasuledda ", composed by an unknown Francavillese and which is danced in circles following the rhythm of the music.

When the event takes place

The Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia takes place during the final week of Carnival, with the main events focused on Shrove Thursday and Shrove Tuesday.

Where the event takes place

The Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia has always taken place in the central Via Vittorio Emanuele which is home to a momentary dance floor where both locals and tourists meet to have fun and participate in the traditional rite of tripe in the open air. Other streets that are involved in the Francavilla di Sicilia Carnival kermesse are Via Gramsci, Piazza Annunziata and Via Regina Margherita, but the whole historic center is contaminated by joyful carnival events.

What to do during the event

Getting involved during the Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia is quite easy, letting yourself be taken by the contagious joy that dominates all of Francavilla di Sicilia. Among other things, it is an event that changes every year during the last evening at the end of the Carnival when the crying of King Carnival is scheduled. The inhabitants know this appointment as A ciouta di re Carnalivari.

Practically on top of a cart is King Carnival who passes through the streets giving his last farewell and holding a sausage firmly in his hand which testifies that from the following day, starting the period of Lent, it is forbidden to eat meat. The carriage carrying the king is followed by a retinue of widows and mourners as well as many masked groups who parade to mourn the end of the Carnival celebrations.

It should be remembered that this kermesse, in the past, allowed the inhabitants of the town - especially if their conduct was irreproachable and not at all frivolous - to abandon themselves to the temptations of the flesh. In fact, thanks to the masks that hid their faces, they took advantage of the opportunity provided by the confusion of the festivities in progress, to satiate their sexual appetites with males of their liking. On the other hand, it was the only time a year that they could establish a fleeting carnal relationship that would satisfy their desires and that would accompany them throughout the year.

Nowadays, with the objective scenarios changed and the vetoes imposed by the morals of the past, this need obviously does not exist but the tradition is remembered through witty allusions that do not go beyond the limit of vulgarity. This is testified by the evident erotic symbolism that emerges during the final evening when the funeral of King Carnevale is celebrated with the pantomime called A Cianciùta.
The event, for those who participate for the first time, will be an opportunity to relive the customs of past times with the lightness and goliardic joy that is typical of the Carnival in Francavilla di Sicilia.

How to get to Francavilla di Sicilia

In Car
Highway A18 Messina-Catania exiting at the junction that signals Giardini Naxos. Then continue along the State Road 185 of Sella Mandrazzi - Novara di Sicilia following the signs for Francavilla di Sicilia.
From the Etna area: take the State Road 289 of Etna and the Madonnas turning at the Cerro Castiglione crossroads and continuing along the Provincial Road 7/1. From above, Alcantara – Nebrodi can be reached along the State Road 120 Capo D'Orlando – Randazzo, continuing along the Provincial Road 89 for Mojo Alcantara and continuing on taking the San Paolo crossroads.