The Carnival is really a large-scale role play, in addition to being an extraordinary lesson in civic-mindedness: thousands of people that peacefully throng the squares to celebrate a festival of freedom, in a combative atmosphere like that of the Orange Battle, respecting unwritten rules, are a fine example of civility that the city can proudly boast and must “defend”.
The battle takes place according to an unwritten gentleman’s code, followed by all the participants, that guarantees their overall safety (apart from a few inevitable black eyes ) and keeps the battle on the lines of a real “sports” competition in which it is those who are the most skilful and throw the oranges hardest that win. The duel between the throwers on foot and those on the carts often turns into a private fight and, even though they are part of the crowd, the closer the relationship between the fighters, the harder the fight. Throwing as strongly as possible is a sign of respect towards an acquaintance, to honour the battle together. At the end, a handshake endorses their re-found friendship.
The battle is without doubt the most spectacular part of the carnival highlighting the fight for freedom, the symbol of the Ivrea festival. Along with all the other historical events that are part of carnival, the orange battle constitutes an incredible cultural patrimony, which makes Ivrea one of the leading carnivals on both the national and international scene. Orange-throwing is also the time with the highest collective participation. Everybody can take part by enrolling in one of the nine teams on foot or by manning the carts.