Italy Mardi Gras 2009 skewers politics

In a previous column, I wrote about the Carnevale di Viareggio in Italy, one of the largest in Europe. Italians love to use any occasion to express their political views. A prime example of the ‘skewering’ of politics and politicians comes from this year's carnival float Dalla padella alla brace (from the frying pan into the fire) pictured here.

Tuscans are especially notorious for their independent political and religious views and also for their satirical wit. It is no surprise to note that this year’s carnival in Viareggio (Tuscany) featured top Italian political figures (Prime Minister Berlusconi and former prime minister Giulio Andreotti) as well as personalities from the international arena (Barack Obama).

The carro (float) Dalla padella alla brace marks the debut of a female carrista (float artist) Eleonora Francioni. The float portrays the Italian government (sitting around the pan) intent on roasting the Italian taxpayers (naked figure roasting on the spit).

On the float are government ministers Brunetta, Carfagna, Gelmini, Prestigiacomo, Rotondi, Calderoli, Alfano and Marcegaglia (President of the industrialist group). These “honorable” representatives overshadow the devilish creatures dancing beneath them. The politicians are represented as creatures of darkness intent on furthering their own agenda and fueling themselves with the roasting of the helpless people.

So, If we could build a comparable float in the U.S., who should be on it?