Pitocco is a term that indicates a poor person, but above all avaricious. A synonym, used in Ticino as in Lombardy and even in Emilia Romagna, is piöcc, which stands for louse. But pitocco is a term that also occurs in great literature. During his journey to Bergamo, Renzo Tramaglino, the protagonist of Manzoni’s Betrothed, thought that ‘it would not be a good thing to present himself to his cousin (Bortolo) as a pitocco, and to say to him, as a first compliment: Give me something to eat.’
It is not known why, during the Ambrosian carnival, King Pitoc reigns in Brissago. We know, however, that there would be no carnival without the Pitoc de Brisag, an association chaired by Davide Schlub. And we also know, thanks to historical evidence, that in Ticino the use of lighting a bonfire or burning a puppet at the close of the festivities has its roots in a remote past and dates back to the mid-1400s. And in Brissago this custom is still alive. When you can.
“We hope to do it this year – says Schlub – because, between one thing and another, between wind and pandemic, we have not been able to burn the clown since 2019.”
Be that as it may, mark the dates on your agenda, because from 15 to 18 February the carnival organized by I Pitoc de Brisag returns. Four days of celebrations for young and old.
The programme opens on Thursday 15th with the children’s carnival organised by the Magic Tree association in the school gymnasium, with various games and a mini-courtyard around the block. At 8.30 p.m., the keys will be handed over to King Pitoc – Miodrag Jankovic – and the Queen – Sabrina Minoggio. Then, at 9 pm a live concert with the group Vaskconplotto. Friday from 17 aperitif in the square and from 21 still live music. Afterwards, there will be a big party in the village, in the Anfrigola tent and in the bars that will remain open until 3 a.m. Saturday there will be the classic risotto and luganighe, at 2.30 pm the parade masked by the post at the Town Hall square. Next, there will be Guggen concerts – which this year will be five, some from beyond Gotthard – and music with RadioTicino's DJ Roxy. Sunday dumplings for all tastes, still music and at 15.30 the burning of the clown. The program is available on the website https://www.ipitocdibrissago.com/programma.
“Like Pitoc, we focused more on daytime events – explains Schlub – leaving night management to other associations or locals. Also because organizing the carnival is challenging and we don't just do that. For us, summer festivals, such as those of Incella or Porbetto, or the fish festival, are also important.’
The carnival, however, remains one of the staples in the Pitoc calendar. “But it costs a lot – Schlub observes – especially in terms of security measures. This is also why we try to focus above all on an adult audience, and in this sense we have concentrated it in the square and involved the exhibitors. Younger people, of course, are welcome, provided they respect the rules of civil coexistence.”