"Old illulstration of Mario's childhood and growing up. His real name is Mario Michelangelo Antonioni, he was born in small town in North Italy, his parents worked for Olivetti and Fiat, he went to Rome by hiself to go to actor's school, after graduration he couldn't find good job for a while but finally he passed the Nintendo's game character..." via Watashi no Tokyo
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During carnival time in every italian city there is a parade with thousand costumed participants and dozens of floats bearing papier-mâché figures  and performing artists. This year the city of San Benedetto featured a float with a big Super Mario sculpture that won he first price: finally Italy is celebrating the biggest national hero (I'm still puzzled why the Super Mario Theme should be the Japanese anthem and not the Italian one!)


Note: I found this few days ago on an Italian blog and I will post the link as soon as I find it... Yes, I'm getting old or maybe in the last 20 years I went to (way) to many raves... gomenne!