APCOM

The genius of Leonardo da Vinci will be the main character of the Ambrosian Carnival, the great event that will take place in Milano from the 7th to the 9th of February. In these days, Milano will magically go back to the past, in the time of the duke Ludovico il Moro, who created the great Carnival Parade. The festivities, held at Piazza Duomo, are becoming increasingly popular, featuring costumed parades and an all-round party atmosphere for more than a week leading up to the main event. On Saturday afternoon the city centre's street will be full of colourful costumes and masks: going from the San Babila square up to the Dome square, many allegoric carriages will celebrate ambrosian folklore and the genius of Leonardo. The reference to da Vinci recalls Milano's candidature to Expo 2015.

"We chose a testimonial who can balance the entertainment of the Carnival with the cultural identity of the city", said the Milanese assessor Massimiliano Orsatti. In the main show, that will take place in Piazza Duomo on Saturday evening, the Italian actor Enrico Beruschi will play the role of Leonardo da Vinci in two events: "Fantasticherie leonardesche" and "Segreto di Utopia". The children will have a lot of fun in the Mercanti square: they will be able to create confetti at the "Fabbrica dei coriandoli" and will know all the secrets of Leonardo's inventions. For night lovers, after Piazza Duomo's night show, the party will continue at the disco "East End Studios" in Mecenate street for an unforgettable masked ball. Remember: in Milano the Carnival lasts four more days than in the other Italian cities, ending on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday: this because of the Ambrosian rite, practised in the greater part of the Archdiocese of Milano. As the denomination reveals, this custom was invented by the city's ancient bishop and current patron saint, St. Ambrose, who modified the starting date of Lent.