Pulcinella has been the symbol of Naples for centuries. A famous character in the Italian cultural scene, known for his characteristic mask and his comical behavior. Its history has its roots in the theatrical tradition of southern Italy. It first appeared in 1300, when its name stood for "little chick" and was used to indicate a careless and time-wasting person.

His mask was in fact invented in Acerra by the actor Silvio Fiorillo, in the first decades of the seventeenth century. Its modern costume was invented in the nineteenth century by the actor and playwright Antonio Petito. But who really was Pulcinella? A simple and astute farmer, Pulcinella embodies the Neapolitan plebs, the simplest man, the one who occupies the last place on the social ladder. A man who - despite going through problems and difficulties - always manages to come out of them with a smile.

Over the centuries, the character of Pulcinella has evolved and adapted to different theatrical and cultural forms. During the Renaissance, he became a main character in Italian comedies and spread throughout Europe. For example, in French commedia dell'arte he was known as Polichinelle or in English comedy, as "Punch". These different interpretations maintained some common characteristics, such as his clumsiness, his Neapolitan dialect and his joking spirit.

Known for his sly sense of humor and his ability to solve difficult situations, this character embodies the essence of the "folk comedian", representing the common sense and wisdom of the people. His physical acting style and his use of lazzi (comedic jokes) made him a beloved figure among the public.

Beyond the Commedia dell'Arte, the character of Pulcinella developed independently as a marionette in the puppet theatre, of which he became the emblem. Representing the identity of the Neapolitan people and their typical irony, the character has been represented in various artistic forms, such as theatre, literature, music and painting. His distinctive mask has become an internationally recognizable icon. Pulcinella also influenced world-famous artists, such as Picasso and Stravinsky, who incorporated the character into their works.

Pulcinella in the Neapolitan nativity scene is an unusual but existing figure. As Canzanella explains in «Razzullo and the Sibilla», in nativity scenes he is a demonic, gloomy, dramatic figure, connected to death, opposed to divine birth. In fact, he would be "an emblematic representative of the Neapolitan popular soul, with its vices, its weaknesses and its virtues, with a decidedly ambivalent character and capable of adapting to different situations with changing attitudes and feelings" (see C. Canzanella - Razzullo and the Sibyl. The nativity scene: the pagan roots of the sacred representation).

Legend has it that on the slopes of Vesuvius - a mystical and infernal place, communication between the kingdom of the living and the dead - it was born by witches. The white dress seems to have a positive meaning because it is associated with flour, wedding dresses, sugared almonds, carnations and white coffins. His connection to death is given precisely by his black mask, a symbol of death. Even the forked cap that recalls the devil's horns, the shaved and bumpy head, highlight his demonic position.