Tradition in Action: The Carnevale of Bassano 1824–1989

This paper examines the official representations associated with the Carnevale (Carnival) of Bassano, a town in North-East Italy, in the last 150 years. In particular, the gradual definition of Carnevale as a ‘local tradition’ is traced, in relation to the self-definition of social groups in the town, and to the latter’s relation to the nation/state. Some theoretical points on the nature of ‘traditions’ as social constructs are also made.