Variations on April Fool’s day are celebrated in different cultures around the world but the most strangely named is likely Italy's iteration, “Il Pesce d'Aprile,” or April's Fish. Celebrated on the first of April, it, too, involves playing practical jokes on friends, family, and those around you and, supposedly, has very ancient origins.
While it is traced to the 16th century, Il Pesce d'Aprile became popular in Italy in the 19th century, some time between 1860 and 1880, beginning in Genoa among the upper echelons of society. The odd-sounding name is actually not that strange at all and is linked to the zodiac symbol for the day and the fact that everything that happens on the day is supposedly related to the abandon of the Pisces constellation from the Sun though another origin story claims it results from the traditional prank for Pesce d'Aprile being taping a cutout of a small fish (pesciolino) to someone's back.
While it is traced to the 16th century, Il Pesce d'Aprile became popular in Italy in the 19th century, some time between 1860 and 1880, beginning in Genoa among the upper echelons of society. The odd-sounding name is actually not that strange at all and is linked to the zodiac symbol for the day and the fact that everything that happens on the day is supposedly related to the abandon of the Pisces constellation from the Sun though another origin story claims it results from the traditional prank for Pesce d'Aprile being taping a cutout of a small fish (pesciolino) to someone's back.
Today, the event is embraced by all groups in Italy and they boast a particularly strong affinity to it and commitment to their pranks. The tricks are rather colourful and there is a long history of public figures, the media, and institutions going all out in the name of a good laugh. One of the earliest of these jokes dates back to the 13th century when a man named Buoncompagno from Florence announced that he would fly a machine he had invented over the town of Bologna on April 1st, leaving a crowd gathered in the streets and waiting for something that was never going to happen.
More recently, in 2001, the respected newspaper La Stampa announced that complex life forms had been found on Mars, while another paper, La Repubblica, announced a Finnish experiment on telepathy that proved it would soon become a norm for most people.
So, if you have found a luxury villa in Italy and are planning a trip in April, be sure to keep your wits about you as pranks will be everywhere!
More recently, in 2001, the respected newspaper La Stampa announced that complex life forms had been found on Mars, while another paper, La Repubblica, announced a Finnish experiment on telepathy that proved it would soon become a norm for most people.
So, if you have found a luxury villa in Italy and are planning a trip in April, be sure to keep your wits about you as pranks will be everywhere!