The Fools Carnival

22^ Coronation of the Podesc'tà di Mat. The Carnevàl di Mat is an ancient tradition that has no equals elsewhere. In the past, the youth of the village would choose 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 the prohibition of engaging in serious matters.

Today's manifestation of the Carnival is a reimagining of the Function of the Mad from the past: the Podesc'tà di Mat symbolically takes the place of the Mayor of Bormio for a day, and Arlecchino, with the Company of Mat, publicly reads gossip and complaints anonymously submitted by citizens throughout the year in the designated box placed in Piazza del Kuerc.

Program in the process of being defined

Carneval di Mat

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