Venice Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia) – is a grand event in Italy and one of the most famous carnivals in the world. This costume masquerade ball – is the oldest of all carnivals on the planet, held annually in Venice.
The traditional Venice Carnival lasts more than two weeks – the date of its opening depends on the beginning of Catholic Lent, and it ends on the eve of Ash Wednesday.
The Venice Carnival has a centuries-old history – the first documentary mention of it dates back to 1094, and its origins go back to the ancient era. The holiday in honor of the god Saturn was celebrated after the harvest and was accompanied by mass celebrations. Moreover, during the holiday, slaves were allowed to sit at the master's table on an equal basis with their owners, but so that class prejudices would not spoil the fun, everyone hid their faces under masks.
In Christian times, the church used this ancient holiday to prepare Christians for Lent so that people could have plenty of fun. And again, to equalize all the social differences between the inhabitants of Venice, during the carnival days people wore costumes and masks.
The Venetian carnivals reached their greatest prosperity in the 18th century, when dancing in squares and luxurious carnival costumes became true examples of haute couture, and the main characters of the holiday were the heroes of Italian comedy. This is also where the half-masks, which are now called Venetian masks, originate. It must be said that the mask in the comedy indicated the special qualities of the hero; each character had his own mask, characteristic only of him. This marked the beginning of the appearance of Harlequins, Pierrot, Pantalone on the streets of the city, and the lovely Columbine became the emblem of the carnival.
At the end of the 18th century, due to revolutionary sentiments from the country, the carnival practically faded away, and at the beginning of the 20th century it was vetoed and lifted only in 1979 on the initiative of Federico Fellini and with the permission of the Pope. In 1996, the Venice Carnival received its own anthem, which was written by the famous couturier Pierre Cardin.
Currently, the Venice Carnival is celebrated annually and attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world. Venice is beautiful at any time of the year, but it is especially beautiful during the Carnival. Every year, more than half a million fans of this magical holiday and simply romantics come to Venice to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of carnivals of past centuries, join cheerful street processions and take part in costume performances.
Traditionally, the carnival opens with the ancient ritual «Volo della Colombina», which arose back in the 18th century. A Columbine paper dove is launched from the bell tower in St. Mark's Square, which explodes in flight and showers the crowd gathered in the square with rain of confetti. Also fundamental is the ritual associated with the medieval festival Festa delle Marie, which marks the liberation of Venetian girls abducted by pirates from Istria.
Theatrical performances are held in St. Mark's Square, and then the holiday spills out into narrow streets, accompanied by music, dancing and mass fun. Unlike other places, the carnival in Venice completely covers the entire city – people dressed as world-famous Italian characters: Harlechino, Piero, Pantalone and many others fill all the streets, concerts and performances take place in spacious squares, performances by magicians, jugglers, sword swallowers, mimes, acrobats, clowns and snake charmers, fireworks, noisy festivities and processions are held.
In addition, Venice's numerous ancient palaces host traditional costume balls and exclusive private receptions. Children have their own children's carnival in Piazza San Polo.
For a few days, Venice, with its streets and squares, canals, gondoliers and bridges, turns into a giant stage with scenery for one of the most grandiose and dazzling carnivals in the world. Unbridled fantasy, non-stop music, sleepless nights, a parade of decorated boats and gondolas on the Grand Canal, as well as masks, masks, masks... – all this is a magical medieval holiday – Venice Carnival, and anyone can take part in it.
The carnival ends with a parade of costumes, amazing fireworks over the lagoon in front of Piazza San Marco, the burning of a straw effigy – with a pagan ritual symbolizing the renewal of nature, and mass dances in Piazza San Marco. And the ringing of the bells of the Church of San Francesco della Vigna announces the beginning of Lent.