Venice Carnival

The Venice Carnival is one of the world`s oldest and most colourful festivals. It takes place just before Lent and lasts for eighteen days.

Note: Lent, forty days before Easter, is a Christian time for fasting and prayer. Some Christians prepare for Easter by not eating meat during Lent and others by giving up something else they enjoy eating such as sweets. The word Carnival originally meant `goodbye to meat`.

Apparently, the Venice Festival started in the year 1162 and it lasted 2 months. In the Renaissance period it became official. It was a relaxing moment for people. Anonymous masklevelled all social differences. During the 17th century, this carnival was a way to save the glorious image of Venice worldwide. However, under the rule of the King of Austria, the Venice Carnival was outlawed completely and the use of masks became strictly forbidden during that time.

After a long absence (more than 180 years), the Carnival of Venice returned in 1979 when the Italian government decided to bring back the history and culture of Venice by allowing and officially recognizing this traditional Carnival.

The Venice carnival is very popular with tourists. All around the world people visit the city at carnival time. It opens with a traditional boat parade. They call them `gondolas`. So, these boats travel along the Venice canals. During the Carnival people dress up in beautiful historic costumes. They wear cloaks and hide their faces behind hand painted masks. Several distinct styles of mask are worn in the Venice Carnival nowadays. For example: `Colombina`, `Medico della peste (The Plague Doctor)`, `Volto (Lavra)`, `Arlecchino`... Usually, people with different occupations and jobs wear a different type of Carnival masks.

One of the most important events during the Venice Carnival is the contest for the most beautiful mask, which is judged by international costume and fashion designers. Wearing masks has always been more than just simple fun for the Venetians; it is still a strongly felt tradition with deep cultural roots.

Every year there are many different events which you can attend. For example, a big feast known as the King`s Banquet, the well-known `Flight of the Angel`, numerous masquerade parties called Grand Balls. On Shrove Tuesday there is a so called Mardi Gras Parade which is held to mark the end of the Carnival and the beginning of Lent.

Whatever the weather, the event attracts thousands of spectators and a crowd of photographers every year because it`s never the same!