Carnival is an annual festival held in Venice. It starts around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and always ends on Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. Venice Carnival is one of the largest and most important Venetian festivals. Thousands from around the world come to Venice to take part or to view the elaborate costumes and famous Venetian masks. This year’s main theme for Carnival is “Life is a Theater! It’s time to get Masked” renewing the city’s ancient relationship with spectacular performances and theater.
Carnival is a pre-Lent festival, meaning” farewell to meat” and is celebrated throughout Italy. Carnival was first held in Venice in the 11th century. During the age of “Serenssima” the carnival began on December 26th and ended on Shrove Tuesday. It was a time where everyone was allowed to wear a mask, which hid class differences and social tension was eliminated. It was a night to lose oneself in revelry. It suffered a decline in the 18th century at the fall of the Republic of Venice due to French rulers then Austrian rulers fearing that celebrations could begin popular conspiracy but was revived with great success in 1979. Now a days it’s a great excuse to wear masks and a costumes, enjoy live music in the main squares, and parade around the city. During the carnival Venice plays host to a variety of shows and concerts in main squares and along the Grand Canal.
Today approximately 3,000,000 visitors come to Venice each day for Carnival. One of the most important events is the contest for the best mask where a jury of international costume and fashion designers votes. Another highlight of this year’s Carnival was the “Flight of the Angel”. Thousands gathered in Saint Mark’s Square to watch this traditional event in which a costumed figure descends from the bell tower into St. Mark’s square.
Text: Tess Matson
Photos: freddylucasphoto