ART: Venice Carnival
Masks are synonymous with the Carnival of Venice. People come from the world over to attend private and public masked balls and masked revelers of all ages invade the campo’s of Venice where music and dancing continues nearly day and night.
The Venice Carnival starts two Fridays before Ash Wednesday. ‘Carnival’ the word comes from the Latin for "Farewell, meat!” and on Ash Wednesday, Lent begins, so people have to consume all the meat, butter and eggs before the fast. This religious activity became the great cause for the people to party.
Historically the Venice Carnival started after 1162. It is believed that in that year the Republic scored a victory over Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia, they started the tradition of celebrating the victory by slaughtering a bull and twelve pigs around Shrove Tuesday. Slowly these celebrations gained momentum.
During the eighteenth century the Carnival was at its peak. The spirit of the Carnival is best demonstrated by the paintings of Francesco Guardi and the diaries of Giacomo Casanova. The period of 1930s saw a notable slide of the Carnival, when it was prohibited by Mussolini. In 1979, the Carnival was leased a new life through the efforts of some of the Venetians. Slowly the tradition got momentum and today the image of the masked revelers is the worldwide icon of Venice in February.
As of today, during the Carnival everybody is wearing masks and this abolishes all social divisions and everybody is free to enjoy. You can find groups of people of varying age groups partying, carousing, and singing, dancing and playing games in all the open spaces and on the streets. The Bautta, is a most common costume, consisting of a black silk hood, a lace cape, a voluminous cloak (the tabarro), and a three-cornered hat and a white mask which completely covers the face. The wearer can walk around without being recognized.
Since the 1980’s, the Venice Carnival has gained more popularity. Private and public masked balls, theatrical performances and an array of ancient games are being organized for the entertainment of tourist as well as locals. Italian folklore, history, and society inspire the types of masks worn today. The masks fall in several categories, like Commedia dell'Arte masks are inspired by traditional characters like satyrs, demons and lawyers to sailors, bakers, butchers Harlequin and Pierrot, the fantasy masks are inspired by history and also the imagination of the manufacturer.
Latest Venice Holiday apartments on Holiday Velvet:
Venice Jewel: sleeps up to 6 in Venice Cannaregio
Castello View: sleeps up to 4 in Venice Castello
Mini Palace: sleeps up to 2 in Venice San Polo
The Venice Carnival starts two Fridays before Ash Wednesday. ‘Carnival’ the word comes from the Latin for "Farewell, meat!” and on Ash Wednesday, Lent begins, so people have to consume all the meat, butter and eggs before the fast. This religious activity became the great cause for the people to party.
Historically the Venice Carnival started after 1162. It is believed that in that year the Republic scored a victory over Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia, they started the tradition of celebrating the victory by slaughtering a bull and twelve pigs around Shrove Tuesday. Slowly these celebrations gained momentum.
During the eighteenth century the Carnival was at its peak. The spirit of the Carnival is best demonstrated by the paintings of Francesco Guardi and the diaries of Giacomo Casanova. The period of 1930s saw a notable slide of the Carnival, when it was prohibited by Mussolini. In 1979, the Carnival was leased a new life through the efforts of some of the Venetians. Slowly the tradition got momentum and today the image of the masked revelers is the worldwide icon of Venice in February.
As of today, during the Carnival everybody is wearing masks and this abolishes all social divisions and everybody is free to enjoy. You can find groups of people of varying age groups partying, carousing, and singing, dancing and playing games in all the open spaces and on the streets. The Bautta, is a most common costume, consisting of a black silk hood, a lace cape, a voluminous cloak (the tabarro), and a three-cornered hat and a white mask which completely covers the face. The wearer can walk around without being recognized.
Since the 1980’s, the Venice Carnival has gained more popularity. Private and public masked balls, theatrical performances and an array of ancient games are being organized for the entertainment of tourist as well as locals. Italian folklore, history, and society inspire the types of masks worn today. The masks fall in several categories, like Commedia dell'Arte masks are inspired by traditional characters like satyrs, demons and lawyers to sailors, bakers, butchers Harlequin and Pierrot, the fantasy masks are inspired by history and also the imagination of the manufacturer.
Latest Venice Holiday apartments on Holiday Velvet:
Venice Jewel: sleeps up to 6 in Venice Cannaregio
Castello View: sleeps up to 4 in Venice Castello
Mini Palace: sleeps up to 2 in Venice San Polo
Labels: articles, cultural-holidays, festivals, italy, venice
posted by Holiday Velvet Team at
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