As all of my Aussie friends were planning, buying, borrowing outfits and fretting over the weather for Racing Week, on the other side of the world a significant number of Italians were doing the same and judging by the outfits, I think the planning possibly started many months ago.
On exactly the same weekend as the Derby and Melbourne Cup, there is an annual comics & games festival held right here in Lucca. When we were booking our accommodation earlier this year I was having trouble finding something for the entire duration with absolutely nothing from Thursday 26th to Tuesday Nov 1st....155,000 people, 95% Italian from everywhere descend on Lucca (normal population inside the walls is 5000) to attend and participate in the Comics Festival. All the locals were talking about it yet we still couldn't work out what it was all about. We were getting organised to leave town reluctantly, when miraculously we heard of an apartment which had become vacant earlier than expected and needless to say we took it. A few days later we moved into our 2nd address in Lucca.....up 4 flights of stairs with no lift, carrying a shitload of luggage and so happy we were going to see what all the fuss was about.
Friday was Day 1 and at 9am there were already heaps of people dressed up and a real buzz in town. What we now know is that The Comics Festival is an annual comic book and gaming convention (as in electronic games on every conceivable piece of equipment imaginable). (2nd biggest in Europe and the biggest is in Tokyo). It is a celebration of all things animated and everyone dresses up in their favourite "Comics" character. At the ticket booth instead of just dipping our toe gently with a one day pass, we were so caught up with the hype we buy passes for the 4 of us for the whole 5 days!
Day 1 we were quite mesmerised by the costumes. Quite quickly we learnt that it is ok to ask for a photo and in fact that seemed to be the main purpose of dressing up - to get stopped and photographed. When stopped he person would get into character pose. I think it says a lot about italians!!!
The boys spent hours in the Electronic Games pavilion and were able to play every conceivable electronic game. There were card tournaments (YU GI YO cards and Pokemon cards etc) and board games and trading....it was completely over the top given that 90% of the audience was adult! There was a rock concert on the Sunday night and the crowd went crazy for 2 performers who are THE GURUS of themes for the animated movies....the Fieldings were able to join in when the girl sang "You gotta catch them all" (the Pokemon song)!!!
We were all over it by Day 3 and the last 2 days didn't get a look in.
So, as you can see there are many similarities with the Spring Carnival, especially Racing Week. Lots of preparation, lots of money, lots of fun but by Emirates you have had enough and can't wait to put the hats away!
Check out the photos.
Typical crowded streets for the five days
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