The General is one of the most beloved figures of the Historic Ivrea Carnival and serves as the authority in charge of the celebration.
The General of the Ivrea Carnival and the “Stato Maggiore” (General Staff) trace their origins to the period between the late eighteenth and the first half of the nineteenth century, when Ivrea’s ancient Carnival tradition evolved into a civic and patriotic celebration. This marked a decisive turning point, as the municipal authorities assumed direct responsibility for the organisation of the Carnival. The General thus became the representative of the city’s civic authority, directing and overseeing the celebrations.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, responsibility for the Carnival passed from the Abbà, the youth leaders of the eighteenth century, to the new “moderators”: the General and his Officers. Like the Abbà before him, the General ensures the proper conduct of the festivities, oversees public order and helps prevent accidents. Rather than portraying a specific historical figure, he fulfils a clearly defined institutional role. His ceremonial uniform, inspired by the Napoleonic era, consists of a bicorne hat adorned with white ostrich feathers, a sabre, a white-and-red sash, spurred boots, white trousers and gloves, and a black jacket trimmed with gold edging, buttons and epaulettes.
Having received the office from his predecessor on Epiphany, the General is also symbolically invested with full authority by the Mayor of Ivrea on “Fat Thursday”. From that moment onward, he exercises his authority at the head of the Historic Parade. It is the General, for example, who issues the official order requiring everyone to wear the “Berretto frigio” (Phrygian cap).
He is supported by the Officers of the Stato Maggiore, from among whom he appoints the Aides-de-Camp and the Vivandiere.
