Vlurd in Offida

Carnevale in Offida is crazy but fun! The "Vlurd" are long bundles of wicker and straw, that are lit and paraded along the streets of Offida, a medieval village in region Marche. Hundreds of people take part to this event, so the streets look like a fiery snake (which makes sense, since name of the town - Offida - derives from Greek "Ophis", meaning serpent). The Vlurd are then thrown into a huge bonfire in the main piazza, and people dance around it, singing and drinking. When the flames start to die down, the bravest jump the flames and hop around on the burning coals. The party goes on until the bonfire dies, sanctioning the end of the Carnival and the beginning of a new season, Spring, which will bring new life.