Moccoletti (sometimes known as moccoli) are candles used in some parts of Italy on the last day of the celebration of Carnival.

A symbolic funeral for the festival, the "Festa dei moccoletti" ("Feast of moccoletti"), saw large numbers of people gather in public spaces, each with a lit moccoletto. The object of the celebration is to keep your candle lit while simultaneously extinguishing others'.[1] Traditionally, you were expected to take your mask off in shame if your candle is blown out.[2][3]

This phase in the Carnival celebration at Rome is featured in Chapter 36 of The Count of Monte Cristo.[4]

The tradition continues to this day in parts of Italy.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Roman Carnival (Carnevale Romano)". Maurizio Rome Guide. 2021-02-16. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  2. ^ a b Anderson, Sonja (February 7, 2023). "Carnevale Romano: The Story of Rome's Carnival". Romeing. Retrieved July 7, 2024.
  3. ^ "The ancient Roman Carnival". Turismo Roma. 2022-02-13. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  4. ^ "Chapter 36: The Carnival at Rome | The Count of Monte Cristo | Alexandre Dumas, pére | Lit2Go ETC". etc.usf.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-17.