Who Is Piemonte's Maschera? Gianduia, That's Who...

Thanks for all those who responded to the poll question: Which of the following is the maschera for Piemonte? The correct answer is Gianduia. This guy, seen in the drawing to the left, has been the Piemontese ‘maschera’, mask, for Carnevale since the late 1700s. He’s know to be a peasant who became a merry gentleman, a lover of food and wine, and gentle and honest like the Piemontese countryside he is from. He’ll always be wearing his long brown jacket with the red trim, his yellow vest, red socks, and he wouldn’t go anywhere without his tri-corner hat. Gianduia was loved so much by his fellow countrymen that a famous chocolate in Torino was named for him, the gianduiotti, in the very shape of that hat. You’ll see Gianduia next week, along with Arlecchino, Pulcinella, and all the other masks representing the different regions of Italy, in every festive mask parade for Carnevale.

Look for another poll soon!