April Fools': between traditions and celebrations

Happy April Fools' Day to everyone!

How did April Fools' Day come about? A bit of history...

Originally, before the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, it was customary in Europe to celebrate the New Year between March 25 and April 1. This was the case in France, where later King Charles IX, in 1564, decided that the year would begin on January 1. Not everyone adapted immediately, and some continued to give gifts between March and April. From there, the idea was born to mock those who were behind: the gifts became empty boxes, fake fish, or innocent pranks. The tradition of pranks often refers to fish because they always bite the hook, just as pranksters take advantage of gullible people: making them bite like fish!

3 curiosities that occurred during April Fools' Day

🎭 Florence – The artistic prank

In Florence, a land of creativity, April Fools' Day has been celebrated over the years with absurd artistic installations: statues modified overnight, road signs whimsically changed, or fake museum announcements. In 2018, for example, news spread that the Mona Lisa would be temporarily moved to the Uffizi… many believed it!

🐟 Genoa – The “real” paper fish

In Genoa, fish takes center stage. Here, the school tradition is still alive: children prepare colorful fish to stick on their classmates' backs. Some shopkeepers in the center enjoy putting fake offers or extravagant signs in their windows, just to see the reactions of passersby.

🛶 Venice – Fish among the gondolas

In Venice, the city of water and masks, April Fools' Day blends with the desire for spectacle. Some years, fake sightings in the canals have been organized: dolphins, sharks, or strange creatures. On one occasion, it was rumored that the Grand Canal would be drained for cleaning. Of course, it was just a joke... but some fell for it!

Here are a few pranks you could try as well!

Stick a paper fish on someone's back
Replace the contents of a jar with a different food
Move the hands of the clock backward
Swap wine with water

This occasion also serves to make us reflect; taking life with a healthy dose of irony benefits our mood, and taking some moments lightly helps to break the routines of daily life. Joking and laughing are pleasures in life, and the same goes for good food.

This is not an April Fools' joke!

If you’ve made it this far, you definitely deserve a reward for your perseverance and attention. What is the reward? Write in the notes field of your order, in the second step of the cart, “APRIL FOOLS' DAY” and we will gift you a selected gastronomic product from those in the “fish” or “pasta” category!