Sanremo in Fiore keeps up its tradition celebrating goddess Flora

The much awaited Sanremo in Fiore 2016 will take place on Sunday March 13th with the traditional parade of floral floats and marching bands. Originating from a celebration dedicated to goddess Flora, it also revamps the tradition of Sanremo Flower Carnival from Belle Epoque.

Carnival is an old tradition in the Rivieras and Sanremo in Fiore adds to first-rate celebrations such as Nice Carnival and the Lemon Festival in Menton .

Although Sanremo in Fiore is very similar to a carnival parade, with its floats, marching bands and folk groups, it takes place in a different time of the year; indeed it has never been designed as a carnival celebration, rather as an elegant window for the city's flower production. In addition, as the Saremo Music Festival takes place in February, carnival time was not the best moment for another big celebration of this caliber.

Sanremo in Fiore's first edition was in January 1904 as the Goddess Flora's Feast: ornated carriages decorated with floral creations paraded through the city of San Remo. The success was such that it became an annual event, with just an interruption from 1966 to 1980.

After the war, the event became Italia in Fiore, the floral floats were joined by bands and folk groups. The city of Sanremo became, thanks to this event, the city of flowers par excellence.

Preparations for the event last few months, but the flower embellishment is done in one night, using only fresh flowers. On a circular route along the promenade, the parade is followed each year by about 60,000 spectators. Grandstand seats, this year, have increased from 750 to 1000, to meet the numerous requests from past editions.

2016 Sanremo in Fiore's theme is “Once upon a time...the magic world of fairy tales” - be patient for fairy tales' titles as they will be soon revealed!

Program:

• 10am Parade begins

• 12:20pm TV broadcast live on Rai 1

• 1:20pm prizegiving

For more information: carnevalesanremo.it