Carnival in Forno di Zoldo: the Gnaga

Forno di Zoldo | from 04.02.2012 to 05.02.2012

The Gnaga is the traditional Carnival of Fornesighe di Zoldo, one of the most typical and peculiar in the Alps. On 4th and 5th February handicraft, wood carving and gastronomy blend in a unique event. The protagonists are the wood masks, which participate in a special competition. Don’t miss the Gnaga parade.

If you like wood carving and handicraft, you will have the opportunity to admire artists carving the wood masks which will be worn at Carnival: each of them is a real masterpiece. Wood carvers take part in a real competition. On 4th and 5th February a Contest of the wooden masks of mountain Carnivals is organized, and a jury of important personalities in the field of the arts chooses the most beautiful character.

The Gnaga Carnival parade of Sunday 5th February is led by the Matazin. This character can be found in other Alpine Carnivals as well: he doesn’t wear any mask, he runs and jumps catching the crowd’s attention ringing his harness-bells. The most typical wood mask of Val Zoldana is the Gnaga, representing an old humpbacked woman wearing enormous wood clogs and carrying her husband in a pannier: a satire of the role played by women in the traditional society. The most frightening mask is the Omo selvadego, the terrible “man of the forest”, with hairy body and buck fangs.

Attending Carnival in Forno di Zoldo you can also discover the gastronomy, with stands giving the opportunity to taste traditional dishes. Great ending, with ball and traditional dishes .