Carnevàl di Mat (The Fools Carnival)

22^ Coronation of the Podesc'tà di Mat. The Carnevàl di Mat is an ancient tradition without equal elsewhere. In the past, the youth of the village would select the Podesc'tà di Mat (Podestà of the Mad), a prince elected for fun who would temporarily replace the Grison Podestà governing the village. His reign lasted a week during which power was suspended and the only rule was to live in pleasure and fun, with a prohibition on engaging in serious matters.

Today’s manifestation of the Carnival is a revisitation of the Function of the Mad from times past: the Podesc'tà di Mat symbolically takes the place of the Mayor of Bormio for one day, and the Harlequin, along with the Company of Mad, publicly reads gossip and complaints submitted anonymously by citizens throughout the year into the special box located in the Kuerc square.

Program

11:00 AM | Deposition of the Mayor, coronation of the Podesc'tà di Mat, and reading of the Pòsc'tà di Mat
12:30 PM | Polenta for the Poor organized by the Alpini Group of Bormio