Semel in anno licet insanire. Rituali e maschere nelle Alpi Occidentali e il convegno Masks and Metamorphosis (Helsinki, 3-4 ottobre 2014)

Abstract

Among the alpine winter manifestations of the agrarian year, some ancient rituals are held to secure prosperity and good harvest. Masked parades are striking examples of these activities. Masks are an essential part of the carnival costume. They are used with the purpose of waking, activating, stimulating and increasing the creative forces of life and conversely to warding off evil spirits. The mask is the symbol of all metamorphoses: in this sense, the rites of Carnival and the Commedia dell’Arte reveal similar action and similar characters, cast in very similar original patterns.