Traditionally, before the fasting and ten days before the Shrovetide throughout the Italy, lush Carnivals cope brightly and colorfully, which literally translates from Italian as “farewell to meat” (Italian: Carni, vale). The most famous carnival in Italy, and throughout the world, is the carnival in Venice. Separately, the dates of the Carnivals in 2010-2020. we already wrote here, now we will dwell in more detail on the holiday itself.
Every year Venice Carnival It takes place under a special slogan or theme around which the entire cultural program is built, although, of course, the program of events includes numerous traditional rituals that are held during a huge stage performance. After all, the main scene of the holiday is the whole city, with its squares, streets, large and small channels, and, of course, theaters.
Carnival costumes in Venice
As we have already noted, the Venice Carnival is one of the most famous and popular carnivals in the world. First mention of Carnival in venice dates back to the 1094th year, and in 1296 he even gets the status of a public holiday. For several centuries, the Carnival holiday lasted for 6-8 weeks and ended only with the advent of Shrovetide, and there were times when the Festivities began in October of the previous year.
The idea of the Venice Carnival belonged to the Venetian nobles. I really wanted to come up with something of my own - like the Ancient Roman one - where the slogan "Bread and circuses" would work, and they really succeeded.
The original goal of the Carnival is to provide citizens, especially representatives of the lower classes, with the opportunity, at least for a short period of time, to free themselves from everyday routine, forget about prejudices and differences, and indulge in irrepressible fun.
At the Venice Carnival you can forget about everyday routine
The Venetians got the opportunity to enjoy life and come off, as they say, “without brakes” carnival masks and costumes that hide the face, social affiliation and even gender, which guaranteed complete anonymity.
Often, commoners hid under the mask of noble men and women, and true secular lionesses and the "mighty of the world" hid their faces behind the mask of simpletons. However, the carnival mask did not always hide good intentions - at times it served as a cover for committing crimes.
In the XVIII century, the Venice Carnival is gradually losing its former significance and chic, and soon it completely “leaves the stage”.The revival of the Venice Carnival with great success was held relatively recently - in 1979. And in our time, Venice and the Carnival are inseparable concepts.
Today, the Venice Carnival is a bright, enchanting holiday in which history and modernity merge together. The streets and squares of the city are filled with magicians, clowns, acrobats and jugglers. The main thing in the holiday is that everyone can turn from a spectator into an artist and show his own show, having received attention and applause from the public.
At a carnival, everyone can turn from a spectator into an artist
The obligatory attributes of the program of each carnival are theatrical processions and shows, concerts of classical and modern music, solo programs of pop artists, as well as a parade of the most beautiful and original masks. The Venice Carnival is revered for the honor of taking part in the best theater and circus groups in Europe.
On Shrovetide night on a silent procession of boats and gondolas lined up by candlelight along the Grand Canal, Venice traditionally says goodbye to the Carnival in order to celebrate it even brighter, more colorful and more fun in a year.
Other articles about Venice
Photos by sputputs, monsterfabr
