CARNEVALE DE VENEZIA

'Carnevale de Venezia' is one of the oldest and most celebrated festivity here in Venice Italy. An internationally known event highlighted by masquerades where exquisite masks and costumes are worn in display by tourists and locals alike. The celebration starts on the Friday two weeks before Ash Wednesday up until Tuesday (known as Martedi Grasso) which specific dates varies in step with the Easter. For this year, Canival 2008 is from January 25 to February 5 and Carnival 2009 is from February 13 to 24. Showcases of the said dressing up as well as programs in lined with the event are held mostly at the Piazza San Marco .

This yearly event evolved from the religious practice of fasting for Lent that could be traced back during the 14th Century. "Farewell, meat!" ('carnival' in Latin) was the original concept of this merriment. Before Ash Wednesday and the start for the people to fast - meat, butter and eggs are all to be consumed. This religious practice became an excuse for parties and encouraged pagan activities. Then the Catholic church injecting religion, allowed an equally period of celebration from Twelfth Night until the midnight of Shrove Tuesday.

Today's modern Carnevale having the "Sensation: 6 sense for 6 sestieri(districts)", as the theme this year, had Rapper Coolio for the IL VOLO DELL'ANGELO, or the The flight of the Angel from the bell tower of the 'basilica' in San Marco. Instead of the usual Thursday before lent as the day for the VOLO(flight), it was anticipated last Sunday, 27th of January.


Private Gala dinners, grand ball, poetry reading and theater plays are also organized by different organizations making this month as the start of business establishments to pick up from the slow input during the winter. Portale di Venezia has the calendar of events HERE:

"Mardi(Martedi) di grasso"(Tuesday of fats) is the conclusion of the 2 weeks 'Carnevale'. Its a day of fat foods such as pork, sausages and the famous 'fritelli'(fried dough with raisins, nuts and cream(optional) sprinkled with confectionary sugar). This day at San Marco Square, the'liston' or obligatory walk is the last time to show off the best masks. It is also the wildest and happiest of the whole carnival period where in greatest acts of lunacy are saved for this day. Sometimes it is inadvisable to bring the kids to this closing event, the crowd could get wild taking advantage of their last day of freedom. An enormous effigy wearing mask is also burned at the Square and people will chant - "It's going, it's going, the carnival is going"....