Carnival in Bellinzona since 1862

Bellinzona, the capital city of the Canton Ticino is not only known to be the seat of the Government, but also for its castles (which were declared h Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO) and for RABADAN.

According to tradition, the Bellinzona's carnival was born in 1862, but the name RABADAN appears later in 1874. Rabadan is a word in Piemontese's dialect which has two significations: first of all it means uproar, hubbub, row. The origin of this name dates back to the time of the Crusades when the Piemonteses went to the Arabic Lands and found out that the Muslims, during a period called Ramadan, were praying and fastening throughout the day, but during the night they abandoned themselves to festivities, songs and Bacchanals. For this reason, the Piemonteses, did consider only the nocturnal part of the Ramadan and called Rabadan everything which is row, uproar.The other meaning of the word Rabadan is a person in a bad way, in a sorry plight related to the Muslim praying and fastening during the day.

Bellinzona is the queen town of the carnival in ticino, but it didn't rise to this fame in a few decades. The carnival's spirit of their citizens probably vanishes into the history of their castles.

The ultra centenarian life of the Rabadan Association has consolidate his structure transforming it in a organizing machinery of big proportions and great vitality.

In 1946 the great growth begun with the introduction of two very important events the great masked parade on Sunday and the "risotto" on the main square on "Mardi gras".

Since the '70's the carnival lasts all the week in spaces even bigger with a great participation of the population, especially during the famous and "sinful" masked balls at the Foyer Forum.
In 1983 the masked balls take place in a big top on the Piazza del Sole, the "Sun's Square", and since 1990 on the streets and the squares of the old town with the participation of thousands of people.

During the events on Saturday and Sunday you can count on more than 30'000 persons. In 1996, the old town is transformed in the "Carnival Town", a pedestrian precinct, that one can enter only after having bought a pin, which makes one a "Citizen of the Carnival Town" and permits to move around freely during the whole week and entering every meeting place and event.

An other sign of recognition of Rabadan is the big mask placed on the gloomy Black Towel of Castelgrande, which gives to it a sly look.