L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 2 C arnival is one of t h e m o s t v i v i d e x p r e s s i o n s o f Italian culture: a c o l l e c t i v e c e l e - bration where tradition, folk- l o r e , a n d c r e a t i v i t y c o m e together. One of its most dis- tinctive elements is papier- m â c h é , t h e m a t e r i a l a t t h e heart of masks and allegorical floats. Light and flexible, it is far more than a mix of paper and glue, rags and plaster. It is considered a "noble" materi- al because of the skill and control required to shape it. Its origins are ancient, and art history itself records its use in the creation of remarkable works. Neapolitan nativity scenes offer a well-known example, but they are far from the only one. Papier-mâché appears repeatedly in artistic practice. Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Alessandro Algardi employed it in theatrical and scenographic settings, while Donatello, another towering figure, used layers of glued paper to give Carnival's suspended time and the noble art of Italian papier-mâché From the Editor form to some of his works. Over time, certain places became particularly closely associated with this expressive art. In Lecce, between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as churches and monuments multiplied across the city, artisans turned to paper as a way of producing powerful sacred works without relying on expensive materials. They developed a language capable of giving physical form to devotion itself, creating statues of saints so intense and emotionally charged that they spoke directly to the faithful. Even later, between the nineteenth century and the early twentieth, long after the height of Baroque exuberance had passed, Lecce remained a center of excellence. Its workshops renewed sacred art with lightweight statues – easy to carry in procession – that appeared strikingly lifelike. Naples offers another remark- able case, where artisans reached such expressive mastery that papier-mâché came to be known as the "poor man's marble." Craftsmanship has always been central to the history of papier-mâché. Techniques are passed down from one gen- eration to the next, much like a cherished family recipe. This continuity exists for a simple reason: working with papier-mâché requires time, experience, patience, and man- ual skill. Transforming a humble material like paper into a complex, detailed object involves a long sequence of careful- ly executed steps, each one demanding attention and preci- sion. Yet beyond technique, papier-mâché also carries a strong social dimension. It is not only the product of individual creativity, but of collective labor and shared effort. In the months leading up to Carnival, in many Italian towns where masks and allegorical floats take to the streets, skilled arti- sans and entire communities gather in workshops for weeks or even months. Together, they model, paint, and assemble everything needed for the parade. These shared processes strengthen social ties and transmit values linked to local identity, along with practical knowledge and craftsmanship. Masks – often inspired by historical figures or characters from popular culture – and floats portraying key moments in the life of a community become markers of cultural iden- tity, as well as a way of gauging public sentiment. Taking part in these irreverent and playful celebrations means stepping into a living culture. It offers insight into the irony, intelligence, and self-awareness with which a community represents itself, embracing both its virtues and its contradictions. In this sense, Carnival is far more than a simple festivity. It is an experience that captures the essence of a place and its people, reinforcing social bonds and shared belonging. This suspended time, in which habits and conventions are set aside, distorted, mocked, or deliberately overturned, allows a more authentic – and perhaps less fil- tered – view of social relationships to emerge. Carried along by the festive current, participants become part of a collec- tive narrative that reconnects with the generations who gave shape and meaning to papier-mâché, masks, and floats. What remains is a sense of being swept up by an ancient form of knowledge, one that has always been capable of interpreting reality and of seeing beyond appearances. Simone Schiavinato, Editor Simone Schiavinato NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS P.O.BOX 6528, ALTADENA, CA 91003 Member of FUSIE (Federazione Unitaria Stampa Italianaall'Estero), COGITO L'Italo-Americano Please send correspondence to P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano Newspaper (a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization), www.italoamericano.org, is the largest and longest-running Italian news- paper in America, not to mention the cultural and news resource for all things Italian in the US. A bilingual newspaper which represents an historical landmark for the Italian American Communities in the West Coast and throughout the US. L'Italo-Americano benefits from subsidies by the Italian Government, Memberships and Donations intended to support and not interrupt a mission that began in 1908 to preserve and promote the Italian language and culture in the USA Periodicals postage paid at Monrovia, California 91016, and additional mailing offices. PUBLISHER Robert Barbera Grande Ufficiale EDITOR IN CHIEF Simone Schiavinato ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Patrick Abbate EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Barbara Minafra COPY EDITOR Francesca Bezzone LOS ANGELES CONTRIBUTOR Silvia Nittoli SAN FRANCISCO CONTRIBUTOR Serena Perfetto SEATTLE CONTRIBUTOR Rita Cipalla CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Mariella Radaelli, Matt Walker, Francesca Bezzone, Luca Ferrari, Stefano Carnevali, Paula Reynolds, Teresa Di Fresco Nicoletta Curradi, Generoso D'Agnese, Jessica S. Levy, Fabrizio Del Bimbo, Maria Gloria, Chuck Pecoraro, Anthony Di Renzo Serena Perfetto, Kenneth Scambray, Chiara D'Alessio, Luca Signorini, Giulia Franceschini © 2025 L'Italo-Americano Membership: One year $59 - Single copy $2.25 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to L'Italo Americano P.O. Box 40156 Pasadena CA 91114

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