Venerdì Gnocolàr!

Carnival is a precise period in the catholic liturgics calendar. It always takes place between the Epiphany and Quaresima but the origin of the name itself is much older than Christianity. Every region of Italy has its traditions during the carnival season, In Verona we celebrate Venerdì Gnocolàr which has been celebrated in Verona for more than 400 years. As you can image it's a day that is all about gnocchi.

Venerdì Gnocolàr is a wonderful day for children and adults alike. The children all dress up in customes and run about throwing confetti into the air. All of this is done in anticipation of the parade and of course, during the parade too. The parade itself is full of floats, but the main attraction is the "Father of the Gnocchi" picture to the right. We elect a new one every year and then he participates in the parade and naturally he is the main attraction. The parade itself winds it way through the historic center of Verona with people watching from the sidewalks and others from their windows. Everybody is in a festive mood and the people on the floats throw candies to the children and everyone is throwing confetti into the air. The parade itself finishes when they arrive at the Church of San Zeno, where everyone has a feast eating gnocchi.

Every year we meet at my parents house and enjoy the parade from the windows and eat a lot of gnocchi.

 

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