When we arrived in Fezzano in July 2019, the village’s annual summer festival was in full swing.

Dozens of trestle tables had been set up along the waterfront, and the townsfolk working in the rowing club’s makeshift kitchen were turning out plate after plate of deliciously fresh seafood.

Waiting in line to order — €6 for a plate overflowing with stuffed mussels and a plastic cup of excellent local wine — Greg and I got chatting to Rita and Elio Luzi. Elio’s mother had grown up in Fezzano in the 1920s and 30s, and he’s been coming here all his life. Still today, Elio and Rita spend their summer weekends in Fezzano.

That night, in a conversation with little English and not much more Italian, we bonded over seafood and wine. Greg and I are so grateful to have met this lovely couple and to count them as dear friends.

When they’re not in Fezzano, Elio and Rita’s hometown is Borgo Val di Taro. Borgotaro, as it’s more commonly known, is about an hour and a half north of Fezzano, over the regional border in Emilia-Romagna.

As luck would have it, our visit this time coincided with ‘Carnevale Borgotarese’, a festival of music, food and so much fun, it was impossible not to join in. After the first set of images below, if you scroll down a little further,  you’ll find a few photographs and a short video clip of our Carnevale action as well.

 

Carnevale Fun