Kids Carnival in San Miniato Basso

The 48th edition of the Children’s Carnival returns to San Miniato Basso in the outdoor area of the Cultural Centre.

Four parades: the first on 25 January from 3 pm, the second on 1 February from 3 pm, with entertainment throughout the afternoon, the third on 8 February from 3 pm and the last on 15 February, with the parade of floats starting at 3 pm and the traditional launch of Pinocchio at 4.30 pm. This is a polystyrene sculpture depicting the famous puppet, which is launched at the end of the four parades.

Curiosity: the people of San Miniato Basso are called ‘pinocchini’ because it seems that Carlo Collodi was inspired by the places in and around San Miniato! In fact, Carlo Collodi’s father worked as a cook in San Miniato and often, on his return from his travels, his son would visit him in the locality that at the time was called Pinocchio, a name that remained until 1924.

A peculiar name, which perhaps derives from the fact that long before this place was called Ponte ai Pidocchi (many people used to pass through here, including poor, ragged people, the so-called pidocchiosi). Later the name would be changed to Pinocchio because of a large pine tree that stood in the centre of the village.