Here in Ivrea there's a particular kind of Historical Carnival: they throw no confetti but oranges!
Orange throwers on foot wear different uniforms representing their team but no protection at all. Others are throwing oranges from horse-drawn carts, who wear protective masks. You can find the complete history of this carnival here.
So last week I find myself sewing a green and red uniform, for my little "tuchino", a friend lent us another and D2 told she wanted to join the battle but no uniform. Here we are, ready to go.
Before the battle there is an historical course, recalling the city’s liberation from tyranny dating back to Medieval times: a baron who starved the city was driven away thanks to a miller’s daughter who rebelled and roused the people to revolt
Many people a red stocking-like hat (Phrygian cap) as during the French Revolution, it says "I just want watch, please do not throw oranges to me". Tuesday everyone wore a team uniform or a red hat, even old ladies and toddlers, because this carnival is really part of the city and everyone wants to join.
No one blames the mess, just protect houses with heavy plastic or wood.
There are 9 throwing teams on foot and each one has a battle ground. We are Tuchini
There's a special place for the children, where they can throw oranges to the carts quite safely, that is people on the carts let the oranges fall without throwing.
In this video a bit of the battle among grown up.
It's the same in every battle ground: here's piazza Palazzo di Città (Town Hall Square), the field for Morte (death) and Picche (spade)
At the end there is a big party and the award of the winner team, chosen for courage, fairplay and better field decoration.
If next year you'll join us at the Orange Battle, wear trekking shoes: it can be slippery...
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