Cascarones

Since 1992 local artists & children throughout the Philadelphia area create and sell cascarones every spring to donate the proceeds to the “Cascarones Por la Vida Art Fund” to assist youth affected by HIV/AIDS.

As of spring 2010, the Fleisher Art Memorial will accept contributions from the “Cascarones Por La Vida Art Fund.” This established art center will use the funds to assist teenage students affected by HIV/AIDS in their pursuit of art education as well as to support artists affected by HIV/AIDS through “The Working Fund” at Fleisher. To obtain more detailed information please contact: Marta Sanchez via e-mail: martasanchez1@verizon.net.

HISTORY OF THE CASCARONE

The origin of cascarones (the word means "egg shells" in Spanish) is a little muddled.The cascarone stems from the Italian Renaissance when Italian gentlemen would fill emptied eggs with beautiful perfumes and scented powder to give to their beloved. As with the pinata, the Italians allegedly got the practice, via Marco Polo, from the Chinese, who filled the eggs with powder. The practice of making hollowed-out, surprise-filled eggs moved from Italy, into Austria, France and then to Spain.

Then in the 1860s, Carlota, the wife of Emperor Maximilian, introduced cascarones to Mexico. In Mexico people replaced the perfumed powder with confetti. It was then when Mexicans labeled the egg shells.... Cascarones... Which derives from the word "Cascara" which means shell. In Mexico they showed up at many different celebrations, especially Carneval. From there they headed north into what we know as California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

About 150 years ago, one cascarone enthusiast wrote that the eggs were so popular that people would stand by their hens all day waiting for fresh ones to arrive.

Beaning someone with a confetti egg is meant as a sign of affection. In earlier times, shy couples flirted this way. Today, throughout Mexico and the American Southwest, Cascarones are used to celebrate.

[Credit for this information goes to Featherland Egg Farms at featherlandeggfarm.com.]

This website was made possible by Springside School’s iSite Team

Back to artedemarta.com