You are hereby licensed to crossdress and no one can criticise you. This is because Carnival season is in full swing.
Like so many other occasions that have arisen over the centuries - Roman Saturnalia in December, medieval Feasts of Fools, mumming and pantomime at Christmas, or modern Hallowe'en - Carnival time is a time when people traditionally get out of the routine and requirements of their culture and can be themselves, or anyone else. Crossdressing is standard. Indeed, the nearby Nice Carnival is offering free access to anyone fully dressed up, illustrated by a bearded man in a ballgown, and there's a special evening when the carnival turns specifically LGBT. I've mentioned before how the Venice carnival with its traditional masks and cover-all costumes, means you can easily disguise yourself as anyone or any gender. All this has been a godsend to genderfluid people through the ages.
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| (c) Progettato da Freepik |
Today is Shrove Tuesday, or as they call it here in Italy, martedì grasso, meaning Fat Tuesday (which I admit sounds like a nickname for a mobster or jazz player). English readers will have heard of the French equivalent, mardi gras. Traditionally, it's when you ate the last of the bacon, sausages, lard and other preserved meat that had seen you through the winter before the lean season of Lent. Hence the name Carnival, which derives from Latin caro (meat) and vale (farewell). Religious seasons often just reflect the practical realities of life before we invented battery farms, factory ships, greenhouses and soy milk for that essential figure-sculpting frappuccino we just can't do without.
Hay fever
I'm not feeling too great as I have hay fever. It's not something I've generally suffered from in life, thank goodness, but in the past two or three years something in this area is causing it. Cypress pollen is the main culprit at this time of year. I am surrounded by cypresses - there's one right outside my bedroom - and there are strong winds that don't help, so that could well be it. I'm not the only one I know who is affected.
This is annoying as I had hoped to wear something a bit carnivalesque just for fun but with this red nose I might just have to go for a standard clown outfit! (No change there then, they snigger!) Thank goodness for antihistamine.
Lovers Arch
In the heel of Italy, the famous Lovers Arch (below, left), a natural stone arch over the sea which is a favourite spot for declarations of love and marriage, has crumbled in rough weather. It's a great loss to local sentiment and to tourism but it's just natural erosion at work. At least it lived for one more Valentine's Day.
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| (c) Freddyballo |
Sue xx
Sue,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully festive and layered post! I love how you connect Carnival to centuries of traditions, from Saturnalia to pantomime to modern LGBT-friendly celebrations, and show how crossdressing has long been a way to claim freedom and play with identity. Your historical context makes it more than just a “holiday post”; it’s a reflection on culture, gender, and joy.
I hope the antihistamines are helping with the hay fever, nothing like a red, sniffly nose to complicate a costume! I chuckled at the idea of going full clown anyway, it sounds perfectly in tune with the spirit of Carnival.
The note on the Lovers Arch is poignant. It’s sad to hear it’s gone, but your reflection reminds us that even natural erosion has its own story, just like the layers of tradition and history you so beautifully trace in your posts.
Thanks for sharing the mix of history, personal experience, and photos, as always it’s a treat to travel with you through your eyes.
Lotte x
Thank you, Lotte, I'm so glad you're enjoying what's clearly becoming a bit of a travel blog as well as a trans blog.
DeleteI've heard complaints over the years that things like panto denigrate trans people but I don't agree and it's things like this that have enabled trans/CD people to dress in a safe environment.
The hay fever has been quite severe this week but I'm controlling it. The season will be over soon enough so until then the antihistamines will keep me going.
Sue xx
Sorry to hear about the hay fever situation. Tree pollen does seem to be a trigger for a lot of folk. Hopefully the right treatment - drops, nose spray, and/or tablets - will do the trick!
ReplyDeleteThe carnival history was very interesting, thanks for sharing.
"...mumming and pantomime at Christmas..."
On three.... Oh no it isn't. 🙂
Haha, it's always good to keep in practice for those panto heckles even out of season.
DeleteIt's only in the last 2-3 years that I've had this problem so I'm guessing a bit as to what's causing it. Today's antihistamine tablet is working well ...
Sue xx
Hello dear Sue, I would like to see the carneval of Venice..but never made it till now. And I think it will last that way. But my sweetheart and I have consideres several times but in some way it did not happen yet. Oh, thanks for the licence to crossdress....I take it for me valid the whole year LOL. I´ve not been to a party enfemme...we had a pirate party last saturday when I dressed as pirate with some heavy make-up. I will show it in one of the next blog posts. I hope your hay fever will not hinder you too much . I am lucky, I don´t have hay fever in the last decades though I had it when I was young.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting post about the sexworkers in Genoa.
Have a good time and all the best
Violetta
Thank you, dear Violetta. Believe it or not, you live closer to Venice than I do. Instead of the Carnival which happens in February when it's cold and the city is expensive to stay in, you could consider the Historic Regatta which this year is on Sunday 6th September. That's also very colourful and the weather will be better.
DeletePlease feel free to crossdress whenever you want. The more the better!
My hay fever is under control, thank you. With me, I never had it when I was young but now I do!
Sue xx