The Carnival of Venice, whose roots date back to the 11th century and which begins approximately two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday, will this year take place from January 31 to February 17, 2015. The world-famous Venice Carnival, which coincides with the Rio Carnival de Janeiro and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, one of the largest and most important in the world, but it is also rich in history, known for its wonderful masks and unusual facts. The Venice Carnival 2015 is therefore worth visiting.
The tradition of the Venetian carnivals is more than eight centuries old. The Venetians are said to have introduced it in 1162, when they were celebrating their military victory against the patriarch of Ogle. In honor of this victory, people began to dance and meet in St. Mark's square. This is how the Venetian Carnival officially began, which saw its heyday in the Renaissance. Under the rule of Austria in 1797, carnival was completely banned, and the use of masks was also strictly prohibited. Carnival got its return in 1979, when the Italian government decided to revive the history, culture and tradition of Venice. Today, the Venice Carnival is visited by around 3 million visitors annually. One of the most important events that will take place at the Venice Carnival 2015 is certainly the competition for "la maschera più bella" (the most beautiful mask) the last weekend of the carnival, where the masks are evaluated by a jury of international costume designers and fashion designers.
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Some interesting facts about the Venice Carnival
1. The carnival used to be unstoppable, which meant it had to go on at all costs. The death of Doge Paolo Renier, who died around February 13, 1789, was not announced until March 2, at the end of all the festivities.
2. Masks were worn by the Venetians not only during the carnival/festival, but also during other special celebrations. The government had to change the law several times; in 1339 it was forbidden to wear a mask at night, and at the beginning of the 1600s it was not allowed to enter a monastery or church with a mask.
3. In the middle of the year 1500, during the carnival in St. Mark's square, a young acrobat walked on the rope that connected the bell tower of San Marco and the boat anchored at the pier in Piazzetta. During the descent, he reached the Doge's balcony in Palazzo Ducale and thus handed over the gifts. An extremely popular event was called Svolo del Turco. Later, for safety reasons, wings were attached to the acrobat and the event was renamed Volo Dell'Angelo. When the acrobat had a fatal accident in 1759, he was replaced by a wooden dove (Volo della Colombina), which threw confetti and flowers at the crowd. In 2001, the dove was again replaced by an acrobat and the event became again Volo Dell'Angelo.
4. They are typical carnival desserts Fritelle and Galani, which can be bought in any bakery or pastry shop in Venice, but only during Carnival. Every store has its own version of this pastry.
5. We can participate in luxurious private parties organized in beautiful Venetian palaces. Everyone wears beautiful and sophisticated costumes, which can be rented or bought from some of the studios around the city.
6. Don't have a mask? No worries. When we arrive in Venice "unprepared" for Mardi Gras, there are people all over the city who paint the faces of passers-by with paints and glitter at modest prices ranging from approximately 3.5 euros to 5 euros. Masks can also be bought in various shops, and the prices range from 5 to several hundred euros.
The Venice Carnival 2015 will take place this year from January 31 to February 17. Several events and private parties are available, the prices of which range from 23 euros to 800 euros. More information about the events of the Venice Carnival 2015 can be found on the official website Venice Carnival.
View the Venetian masks in the gallery.
More information:
www.venice-carnival-italy.com
