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Venice Carnevale

Posted by Attavanti on 2nd Feb 2018

Venice Carnevale

The Venice Carnevale, also known as carnival or mardi gras is celebrated in Venice, Italy along with many other places around the world such as Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. It starts 40 days before Easter with a final huge celebratory party before Ash Wednesday and the restrictions of Lent with the abstinence from meat and alcohol.The word carnevale or carnival from latin means "farewell to meat" and according to history is one of the oldest festivals that started in Venice in 1162.

This year the Venice Carnevale is from 27th January to the 13th February. It is a very busy time in Venice as people flock to go to carnival parties, balls and events and dress up in historic costumes and Venetian masks. The opening Parade with rowers on the Grande Canal is so very, very busy that you'll need to get there hours before to get a view point.

The Venice Carnevale has become famous for the dressing up in historical costumes and traditional masks. The masks are used to hide the wearers identity and social standing and were once banned in the 18th century as they were misused by Venetian prostitutes and gamblers. There are many types of masks that are worn from very ornate with gold and feather adornments to simple plain eye masks. The Zanni, Pantaloon and Medico della Peste have a prominent nose, from small hook to very long, but beware the longer the nose the more stupid the character is deemed to be. The Arlecchino a joker like large mask that can include a collar and bell and who is a character from the Commedia dell'arte. Plus the very popular half masks that just cover the eyes called the Colombina and full face masks, the Volto. Once you have your mask to wear you'll  also need a cape, a tabarro or traditional costume dress which can be hired.

Then there are the Carnavale balls, one of the most famous is the Ca'Vendramin Calergi and although it includes dinner and entertainment, is an eye watering €500 a ticket. There are of course much cheaper options available. Specialist event companies have Carnival packages that make things easier and will include events, mask making, costume fitting, traditional dance lessons, invitations to private balls and live entertainment, ending the weekend with a DJ and cocktails until the early hours.

Venice has so much to offer all year round, the Carnevale is just an additional amazing, spectacle to what is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. One for the bucket list.

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