Giangurgolo, the Calabrian Carnival costume with mask
2 minutes
Have you ever heard of the traditional Calabrian character Giangurgolo?
Let's have a closer look at Giangurgolo's costume, the playful character who conquered the entire commedia dell'arte from the Carnival in Calabria.
Giangurgolo: history of the Calabrian costume
Giangurgolo is the quintessential Calabrian costume, but what are its characteristics? A big nose and sword by his side, a tall cone-shaped hat, a waistcoat and unmistakable puffed trousers with yellow and red stripes... the colours of Catanzaro? Yes, but first and foremost from the Crown of Aragon, where they originated. Given this detail, Giangurgolo's costume represents a satire of the city towards the Aragonese and Spanish rulers. But the character is much more than that! One of the most beloved and well-known Calabrian costumes throughout Italy, Giangurgolo seems to be inspired by a character who actually existed in Catanzaro in the sixteenth century, known as "Gianni l'ingordo" (Gianni the glutton) or "Boccalarga" (Giangurgolo), or a ravenous chatterbox.
Catanzaro's Giangurgolo was born in the Convent of Santa Maria della Stella on 24 June 1596 (i.e. on Saint John's Day, from whom the orphan took his name). Legend tells that Giangurgolo came to the aid of a Spaniard who had been attacked by bandits. On his deathbed, he names him his heir and entrusts him with the task of liberating the city, taking the name Alonso Pedro Juan Gurgolos in his honour. From that moment on, Giangurgolo's battle against Spanish occupation began. How? Roaming the streets of Catanzaro with a travelling theatre troupe and a company of actors who, through satire, incite the people to revolt. From Catanzaro to Reggio Calabria, and from there to the rest of Italy, it was a short step via the commedia dell'arte, which would establish Giangurgolo's costume in a leading theatrical role.
Giangurgolo and the Carnival tradition
This is how Giangurgolo, a traditional Carnival character, earned his place in the greatest Italian theatres, alongside more famous and beloved characters such as Pulcinella, Arlecchino, etc. What makes Giangurgolo unique? His mannerisms, his way of speaking and his most distinctive quality: he tells so many tall tales that he ends up believing them himself. Over time, his face is covered with a red mask and other details that better represent his bravado. Where can you encounter Giangurgolo today? Not only in the theatre, but also in the countless Carnival parades in Calabria.
