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Written  by Alessandro Oberti, Rayan Chahir, Anas Jedraoui II F from Italy

In this article, we’ll delve into six of the many typical Italian Carnival characters: Harlequin, Columbine, Pulcinella, Pantaloon, Doctor Balanzone, gianduja.

Harlequin: He’s the most famous Carnival servant and hails from Bergamo. He’s a lively and charming character, known for his diamond-shaped costume made of many pieces of colorful fabric. Harlequin is as agile as an acrobat and very cunning, but he uses his intelligence to play pranks on his master.

Pulcinella: the symbolic mask of Naples. He dresses very simply, with a loose-fitting white shirt and trousers, paired with a black mask with a long, curved nose. His personality is a mix of laziness and cunning. He’s also a great chatterbox, so much so that the expression «Pulcinella’s secret» originates from him. A Pulcinella’s secret is something everyone already knows, even if it were a secret.

Colombina: Venice’s crafty servant, the only truly famous female character. She is an intelligent and lively girl. She wears no mask and wears a simple dress and apron; she helps lovers and mocks the stingy old Pantalone, solving every problem with grace and common sense.

Pantalone: ​​a famous Venetian character. He’s a very rich but stingy old merchant, always thinking about money.He wears a black mask with a hooked nose, a black cape, and red tights. Although he’s strict with everyone, he’s often teased by his servants or the women he falls in love with. In essence, he represents the typical grumpy old man who wants to be in charge but ends up being mocked.

Gianduja: This is the symbolic mask of Turin and Piedmont. He represents the typical Piedmontese gentleman: cheerful, hospitable, and full of common sense. He wears a brown jacket with red trim, a yellow waistcoat, and the typical three-cornered hat with a cockade. A lover of good wine and good food, he always carries a mug with him. He is closely linked to chocolate: in 1865, during Carnival, he first distributed the famous chocolates that bear his name, gianduiotti.

Doctor Balanzone: This is the character from Bologna. He represents a man who thinks he knows everything: he’s a great chatterbox who talks nonstop, using very difficult terms, Latin, and endless arguments that often make no sense. He dresses all in black with a large white collar and a small mask that covers only his forehead and nose. He’s a strange and amusing character who is regularly mocked for his majesty and his useless advice.

Written by Daid Pantescu from Romania

In Romania, Easter is the most important holiday. The preparations start with Holy Week, and the most significant day is Good Friday. We go to church to pass under the Epitaph, which is the table representing the burial of Jesus. It is a serious tradition to show our respect.

The most important moment is the Resurrection Night. At midnight, we light our candles from the Holy Light and say Christ is Risen! We carry this light home to bring peace to the family.

On Easter Sunday morning, we tap painted eggs. The red ones are the most important because they symbolize the blood that flowed from Christ for us. Besides traditional lamb and cozonac, my grandmother always makes delicious cornulete with Turkish delight and powdered sugar. I think Easter is special because of the faith, the amazing food, and all the beautiful moments that bring the family closer.

Written by: Szymon Żuraw, Bartłomiej Paszek, Julia Siembida, Adela Paul, Emilia Nowakowska – Stefan Cardinal Wyszynski Primary School in Sarzyna from Poland

When you think of Christmas time in Poland  what comes to your mind is food, carols and visiting Nativity scenes displayed in Catholic churches.  Sounds familiar? Yet, there’s more to it. Read this article to learn more about some customs and traditions.

Christmas Eve dinner is the most important part of family celebration. Polish start the event with sharing the Christmas wafer coated with honey. In old times there was a special wafer for the animals which were to speak human voice that night. You may be surprised but we do not eat meat on that day.

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Yet, there are 12 different dishes including fish, cabbage, rice, groats and red borscht with dumplings. One should also try different kinds of pierogi  and drink dried fruits compote. They say if you miss a dish, you’ll miss luck next year. Everybody is invited to Christmas dinner because there is always one empty seat and a plate for an unexpected guest. Back then people in villages used to go from house to house with a spare spoon and eat from one big bowl.

Christmas Eve ends with Midnight Mass so we start celebrating Jesus’ birthday as early as the shepherds did opening Christmas time with visiting relatives and friends. We have caroling tradition which is especially popular among children. Carolers dressed up as e.g. The Three Magi, St. Mary, Angels or Devils etc. walk around villages and sing carols to earn some money and sweets. It is not so scary as Halloween, it used to be, though. A caroling monster turon knocking at the window would scare the bravest.

Sources:

Zaśpiewaliśmy Jezusowi – Sarzyński Serwis Informacyjny – Sarzyna.Info

Tradycje kolędnicze w Polsce i na Podkarpaciu – Muzeum Etnograficzne w Rzeszowie