The Project
The History of the Project
The project was born out of the need to have all knowledge about the event at hand and the ability to weave information together in order to see the complete picture. Through a gradual process of structuring the database, it is now possible to discover the journey of each builder, the career of each musician, and thus learn the history of each piece that has contributed to making the Viareggio Carnival great.
The start
During the 2020 lockdown, the project "WikiCarnevaleViareggio" was born. The shared goal of the entire staff (composed entirely of volunteers) is to make available to the public various data related to the famous Carnival of Viareggio, from details about the allegorical floats to the songs and the people who contributed to making this event great, as well as other culturally relevant elements. The essence of the project has been to connect all these elements, creating a true informational web that allows visitors to embark on a real "journey" through everything related to our Carnival. Thanks to this interconnection, it is possible to experience a continuous process of research and discovery, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of every facet of this rich tradition. The portal, freely accessible, free of charge, and non-profit, has received widespread public support from the outset, demonstrating the importance and relevance of making this information accessible to the public.
The rebirth
WikiCarnevaleViareggio has undergone significant development, reaching its peak in 2023 with an ambitious process of renewing the website's graphical interface. This profound redesign aimed to optimize both aesthetics and usability, introducing new sections and pages. Among the most relevant innovations are the addition of English and French languages to the site, the creation of a list of historical organizations predating the Carnival Foundation, and the inclusion of competition notices from various editions of the event. Additionally, an advanced search feature was implemented to facilitate access to carnival song lyrics. During the carnival period alone, WikiCarnevaleViareggio recorded over 3,000 accesses and was used as a source for various publications dedicated to the event. Currently, those involved in developing new features and updating content (constantly verified to provide valid information) are not only enthusiasts of the event but also professionals in their respective fields. In February 2024, WikiCarnevaleViareggio received an official recognition of great prestige by obtaining sponsorship from the Province of Lucca. This important institutional support confirms the value and importance of the project in promoting cultural and tourism initiatives in the region, highlighting its crucial role in preserving and disseminating the rich tradition of the Viareggio Carnival.
The thesis
Marco Petrucci, one of the developers of the project, decided to make his contribution to the WikiCarnevaleViareggio project the subject of his thesis in Humanistic Computing at the University of Pisa, which he obtained on July 11, 2024. This became a reality thanks to the perfect communion of intent between the idea of the project and the two souls of his study path, promoting an interdisciplinary and innovative vision. His degree course indeed combines a significant component of Computer Science oriented towards web development with a substantial humanistic foundation. The student's thesis mainly focuses on the structure of the site and the implementations made to improve accessibility, graphics, speed, and overall quality of the site. The academic path was supported by university professors Andrea Michienzi and Barbara Guidi, expert teachers in Database Systems and Web Programming Laboratory at the University of Pisa.
Future developments
Looking to the future, with increasing public support and a significant and constant increase in terms of accesses and searches made, the WikiCarnevaleViareggio project intends to take further steps forward by inserting a wide range of new information, aimed at significantly enriching the browsing experience within the portal. This ambitious goal will involve adding detailed insights into the traditions, celebrations, and cultural aspects of the Viareggio Carnival, thus providing users with a comprehensive and in-depth overview of this important event. Furthermore, the project plans to extend the accessibility of the portal by translating it into other languages, in order to ensure an inclusive experience that can be enjoyed by an international audience. The introduction of these versions will allow users from all over the world to explore and appreciate the cultural and historical riches of the Viareggio Carnival, thus promoting its spread and recognition on a global scale.
Our Staff
Meet the passionate team that made WikiCarnevaleViareggio possible, dedicating time and skills to preserve the history of our beloved Carnival.
A cocktail of computer science and carnival. Shaken, not stirred.
Graduated in Digital Humanities, he managed to find the perfect combo between two of his favorite passions... computer science and the Carnival of Viareggio. Driven by the desire to convey the history of this tradition, he decided to dedicate part of his free time to the WikiCarnevaleViareggio project, helping to make it more complete and accessible to everyone.
Graduated in History and Philosophy, he loves writing and communication as well as the ability to combine cultural dissemination with the world of entertainment. Passionate about Carnival, his goal is to research and explain every artistic work as a cultural expression of its time.
Personal trainer, DJ, receptionist, but above all a photography enthusiast... he loves photographing floats and masks. Contacted by Andrea during the Covid period, he frequents WikiCarnevale by entering data, photographs, and videos. To this day... He continues to photograph everything. Oh, he was born in February. Could it be otherwise?
Aerospace engineering graduate, he spends his days between complex formulas and tennis strokes; while in the evening he retreats to his musical world, made of blues and Carnival. Thanks to his archival research, we get to know more about the authors of the traditional songs of the Viareggio Carnival, even the oldest ones. His work has been meticulous, attentive to details but with very little patience... Because the latter disappears faster than a Fauzia bomb.
Future computer engineer, present Carnival enthusiast acquired. I am a fan of behind the scenes... from the Festival di Burlamacco, to the isolated masks, up to WikiCarnevale. If you want me, I am back there, waving hello with my hand👋
Travel agent, singer, and theater actress. Carnival enthusiast since birth, you have surely seen her on the Floats, at the wards, on the stage of the Festival di Burlamacco, in the Citadel, here on WikiCarnevale, or around the world!
Language teacher with a great passion for acting, singing, and dubbing (in which she is graduated), she has always loved Carnival and today is part of the official masks. She decided to make herself available to Wiki to provide support in the multilingual translation of the site.
He is not from Viareggio, but thanks to Sara, he entered the world of Carnival and does not want to leave it, also working on the WikiCarnevale project. Graduated in Tourism Sciences (in that city that shall not be named), passionate about travel, technology, and much more. You may have already met his alter egos "ilVerga" on YouTube or @gliagentidiviaggio on Instagram.
Born under the sign of Burlamacco, she has loved Viareggio and Carnival since she was born. She studies Italian Studies, but in her free time, she dedicates herself to social and cultural volunteering in the city, particularly helping the WikiCarnevale project with content insertion and historical research.
Graduated in Communication Sciences, she has developed solid organizational and communication skills thanks to a long experience in the events sector, managing logistics and operations. Her visionary yet deeply childlike outlook is a bit like the Viareggio Carnival... a magical world where culture, satire, and memory, merging in the buzz of moving papier-mâché, give life to joy.
She studies Art History and has been living the Carnival on the front line as a performer in the floats of Fratelli Breschi for years. She combines her passion for art with that for this tradition, bringing energy, creativity, and a strong desire to tell it.
Support the Project
Your support helps us keep the memory of the Viareggio Carnival alive.
All this for love, for those who have transmitted it to us, and for those who will transmit it. ❤
