The story of the Ivrea Carnival, of the battle of the oranges in the beautiful town of Piedmont, a story that deserves to be chosen to better understand the Carnival in this area.
Il Carnival of Ivrea it is a historical event that dates back to 1858 and which makes this festival unique in its kind, among popular events, as well as serving as a reminder for the whole Canavese area, as it is inherited from a now legendary past.
It is said, in fact, that the event recalls an episode of medieval city life, when the Baron was rejected by the simple daughter of a miller who absolutely did not want to submit to jus primae noctis. This fact ignited a popular revolt today represented, in fact, during the Carnival.
La battle of oranges it is, therefore, one of the most important moments of the Ivrea Carnival, often the only one known and, as mentioned, it symbolically traces the moment of the rebellion of the city of Ivrea against the tyranny of the city. Each year each community, identified by belonging to defined district boundaries, tries to assert its superiority over the others in 3 days of great commitment and involvement.
The Miller's daughter, Violetta, together with figure of the General, acts as a guarantor for the proper conduct of the battle which, together with the presence of other historical figures, makes the days of the celebrations really special. Furthermore, a super partes commission observes the unfolding of the battle, at the end of which a prize is awarded to the walking band and to the jet chariots that have stood out for what we can summarize in loyalty, ardor and technique. The award ceremony officially takes place on Shrove Tuesday at 17.30 pm in Piazza di Città.
As a sign of participation from Shrove Thursday until closing solemn of the Carnival, at 23,00 pm with the reading of the Minutes in the Piazza di Città, all the citizens of Ivrea and the participants in the Carnival take to the streets with the Phrygian cap: the red cap in the shape of a sock that symbolizes support for citizenship.
A clarification must be made. The battle of the oranges was born, in 1947, beyond outside the official Carnival, as well as the orangery teams. Historically it was then included in the event attributing to it the historical symbolism of the riot.
