125 injured in Ivrea's Battle of the Oranges as carnival tourism thrives in Italy
According to media reports, about 125 people were injured in the premier of this year's Orange Battle arrangement. The event occurred on Sunday, February 11th in the town of Ivrea, located in the northern Piedmont, Italy.
12 February 2024 09:09
Battle of the Oranges - a highlight of the Italian Carnival
The event attracted 35,000 people to the city, including numerous tourists from abroad. Medical treatment was offered to the battle participants who sustained a variety of injuries; six individuals had to be taken to the accident and emergency department. The battle had to be momentarily paused to allow an ambulance to reach one of the injured parties.
The event organizers announced that over 17,000 tickets were sold for the spectacle's onlookers, who can witness the battles closely. The subsequent carnival battles are scheduled for Monday, February 12th, and Tuesday, February 13th.
This battle's tradition is rooted in the Middle Ages. Its participants are divided into teams that hurl tons of citrus fruit at each other. Only a few participants are equipped with special helmets. The annual casualty count is generally high.
The scenario is repeated yearly, acting out a dramatic blend of amusement and confrontation. Scenes from centuries past, when the miller's daughter was abducted by the ruler's army, are re-enacted.
The streets and squares overflow with carts of the "ruler's defenders", who pelt oranges at the oncoming crowd and likewise receive hits.
Carnival tourism in Italy
Carnival tourism is thriving in Italy, with revenues projected to reach one billion euros this year. About 8 million people are estimated to visit the most renowned carnival locations, as stated by the National Federation of Tourism and Trade.
Unsurprisingly, one of the most frequent cities during this period was Venice. This year, the local carnival pays homage to the Venetian traveler Marco Polo on the 700th anniversary of his demise.
Events in Cento and Comacchio in the Emilia-Romagna region, Fano in Marche, and Acireale in Sicily are also well-attended. In Putignano in Apulia, where celebrations have been ongoing for 630 years, the carnival lasts the longest - kicking off on December 26th.
Following the final day of Carnival on February 13th, on Saturday, February 24th, the famous Viareggio parade in Tuscany will occur, showcasing large, vibrant carnival floats.
