home › This is interesting › Italy. Venice Carnival - luxurious, enchanting, mysterious

Italy. Venice Carnival - luxurious, enchanting, mysterious

“Mask, mask, I know you…” It turns out that carnival was invented in Venice. And it couldn't be otherwise. Such a democratic holiday, when everyone is wearing masks and everyone is equal, could only be born in the democratic Republic of St. Mark, where there have never been vassal relations between citizens.

“They do not despise each other in anything, and no one has any fear from anyone in anything: everyone does according to his will, who wants what. That freedom in Venice always happens, and the Venetians always live in all peace, without fear and without resentment and without burdensome taxes. , - wrote P. Tolstoy, who visited Venice at the end of the 17th century. The first mention of the carnival dates back to 1094. And in 1296, the Venetians also officially legalized it: the Senate of the Venetian Republic proclaimed the last day before Lent a holiday. It is believed that the very word "carnival" comes from the Latin "carnevale", which means "farewell to meat." This is the canonical church version. The inhabitants - the Venetians thought otherwise. They translated "carnival" as follows: carrus navelis - "amusing chariot, ship of festive processions" and liked to coincide with Festa della Marie - an old holiday dedicated to the rescue of girls kidnapped by Istrian pirates.

Modern carnivals also begin with this holiday. The twelve most beautiful girls in Venice receive prizes - the mayor's office pays them a luxurious cruise.

But, in fact, the origins of the Venetian carnival go deeper - in the ancient Roman Saturnalia - annual holidays in honor of the god Saturn, which were celebrated in December after harvesting during the winter solstice and were accompanied by mass festivities. Slaves were seated at a common table, and to alleviate the awkwardness of the unusual situation, everyone put on masks.

Strictly speaking, the carnival was born from the masquerade. At some point, the Venetians got so carried away that they began to "break away" in fun from the beginning of October to February, inclusive, with light breaks for posts.And the mask is so firmly "grown" to the face that it has become just a part of the equipment.

P. Longo. In the gambling house.

“While the carnival lasts, everyone wears masks, from the doge to the last maid. Wearing a mask, they carry out their business, protect processes, buy fish, write, make visits. In a mask, you can say everything and dare to do anything - the mask allowed by the Republic is under it You can enter everywhere in disguise: in a salon, in an office, in a monastery, at a ball, in a palace, in a casino. neither a nun, nor a gathering, nor a noble lady, nor an inquisitor, nor a buffoon, nor a poor man, nor a foreigner.

P. Longo. In the gambling house.

P. Longo. At the dentist.

P. Longo. Hippopotamus.

Strange, mystical, like magnificent scenery, the city dictated its own rules. He demanded a special picturesque, rich, dramatic life, outside the usual established conditions. Love, passion, death - all were welcome guests at this brilliant holiday.

“I hid under clothes and a clown mask. My thoughts, intentions, actions are unexpected. I can constantly reincarnate and do things with laughter that may seem forbidden or obscene to many. To love without loving...”, wrote Giacomo Casanova about the carnival.

Monument to G. Casanova in Venice by M. Shemyakin.

But everything has its limits. Already shaky, like water in the Grand Canal, moral boundaries were absolutely blurred during carnival days. Masked men penetrated women's monasteries, debtors hid from creditors, "bravo" hired killers carried out their dirty deeds without hindrance.

“And so they always have fun in Venice and do not want to be never without amusement, in which they sin a lot of their gaiety.”

In the end, the Council of Ten could not stand it and said: "Basta!"In 1608 there wasissued a decreewhich banned the wearing of masks for an extended period. From that moment on, masks were only allowed to be used during the carnival or at official banquets. For breaking the law, men were sentenced to two years in prison and a large fine, and women were publicly flogged in San Marco Square, after which they were expelled from the territory of the Venetian Republic for four years.
The carnival has become shorter, but this makes it even brighter, faster and more colorful.

D.B. Tiepolo. Carnival

On the square of St. Mark comedians played puppet comedies, wandering astrologers predicted the future, acrobats were spinning, ventriloquists were talking in an afterlife voice, patricians, divided into two teams, played a game reminiscent of modern football - they tried to throw a leather ball to the enemy's side. Ropes were stretched between the windows of the palaces, along which rope walkers walked. One of the prisoners was released onto the same rope: if he reaches the end - he is free, no - he is waiting for a merry death "in the world."

The ladies-spectators were delightful, picturesque "clusters hanging" from the balconies. “The female sex and girls of all ranks are cleaned in a very special fashion of the Venetian dress and covered with black taffeta from the top of the head even to the waist, and many others are cleaned in French. In women, they use more herbal colored brocades, and the women's people in Venice are very good-looking and slender and political, tall, thin and pretty in everything, but they don’t want to do manual work, they heal more in the cool.

There was no time to waste, it was necessary to enjoy every moment. Appointments were made, in the famous gambling houses - ridotto - they played for high stakes, quarrels broke out between rivals, the eyes of beautiful red-haired Venetians mysteriously flickered in the slits of the masks. Happy couples sailed in pointed gondolas. The songs of the gondoliers sounded over the numerous canals.

The air was saturated with fogs, excitement, love, jealousy...

And around the masks, masks, masks... Circled in an endless sparkling round dance.

However, the favorite mask of the Venetians - buata - is just not modest in a Venetian way. There are only two colors - black and white. To the white "mask" - a black cloak. Everyone adored this mask - both patricians and commoners, both men and women. For simplicity and versatility. By the way, it was not only convenient to talk in it, without removing the mask you could feast on your favorite delicacies: delicious "bear crayfish" fried in oil, lemon juice and herbs, langoustine roll with cuttlefish caviar, squid with asparagus, sea eel, which is served grilled, marinated with tomatoes in Italian marsala wine, vinegar and parsley, baccala, a cod dish, and, of course, roast duck - after all, Great Lent is coming soon.

And the strange name "bauta" is a fictional monster, akin to our "beech" and "byaka".

The classic masks of the Venetian carnival include, in addition to Bauta, the Venetian lady, the Cat, Doctor Plague and Volto.

Volto - "citizen" - a simple mask somewhat similar to a bauta.

Of the animals, the Cat is singled out, obviously in recognition of the special merits of the Venetian cats, who have to live in the city literally "barely sticking out" of the water.

Plague doctor. A mask born of life itself, or rather death. The plague came to Venice more than once, claiming hundreds of lives. Doctors were walking around the depopulated city, visiting patients. In order not to get infected with a terrible disease, they put on a mask. Various aromatic oils and other substances were placed in her long beak-shaped nose - it was believed that they protect against infection with the plague. Over the clothes, the doctor put on a dark long cloak made of linen or waxed fabric, and took a special stick in his hand - so as not to touch the plagued person with his hands.

Venetian Lady. That says it all. Precious stones, expensive oriental fabrics - brocade, satin, moire, exquisite incense.

Every noble lady should have a maid. The Venetian Lady could not do without her.

Moretta - "darker" - the most romantic carnival mask made of black velvet or satin.

Casanova adored her. The dark-skinned beauty - the Moorish woman has always been mysteriously, exquisitely silent. Whether therefore, or for some other reason, this mask had another name - "Joy of husbands." The secret was that this mask was held on the face with a peg attached to the inside, which must be held in the teeth.

But still, only Colombina could compete with the beauty of the Venetian Lady. It is the owner of this mask who is allowed to open her seductive lips for admiring glances.

But Columbine is another song, another story. Del arte is a comedy of masks, a literary, stage genre. There is a company here.

Pantalone is a Venetian merchant, an old man, stingy, prudent, but always fooled.

The doctor is a lawyer from Bologna, a supposed scientist, talker and pedant.

Brigella is a smart servant, a dexterous, quirky former peasant, who is always against old people who prevent young people from living, loving and being happy.

Harlequin - a stupid servant, came from Bergamo to seek happiness in the best city in the world - Venice, cheerful, lazy, a glutton and a womanizer, but at the same time courteous and modest.

Colombina is a maid, a cheerful and enterprising girl who participates in all the intrigues and vicissitudes of the plot.

With the help of these masks, magnificent performances were played, built largely on improvisation. Carlo Gozzi, the author of the famous Turandot, believed that this genre - the comedy of masks - was Venice's gift to theatrical art.

C. Gozzi

He paid tribute to this genre and another famous Venetian - Carlo Goldoni.

AND this whole company - Harlequin, Pantalone, Brighella, Doctor - rightfully joined the carnival round dance, and Colombina became a symbol of the Venetian holiday.

Doge's capital clothes
All starry sequins for the ball,
Boiling, laughing and chatting,
A colorful carnival sparkles.
Here is a Harlequin under a black mask,
How the heat burns his rags,
Cassandra with a fervent note
He beats, his laughing stock.
All white, like a big mouth
Penguin over the north cliff
Pierrot in the gap of a round note
Shakes his head.
Bologna doctor discusses
In the bass, a question that is clear to everyone,
Open, angry bends
Osmushkoy musical long nose.
Pushing Trivelin away
Blowing his nose with a pipe
At Scaramouche Columbine
He takes his fan with a smile.
Sounds cadence, and soon, soon
Dominoes pass through the crowd
But in the slot of the slyness of the gaze
Covering the eyelashes is not given.
O thin beard of lace,
That a sigh sways, easier than sleep,
I, immediately discovering the secret,
Sings arpeggio: - she!
And I learned by hearing in love
Under a terrible mask of a lip,
Like a plum with golden down,
And a black fly on the forehead.

T. Gauthier. Translation by N. Gumilyov.

But everything eventually comes to an end. Carnival died when the Republic of Venice died. At the end of the 18th century, in the fire of the Napoleonic wars.

In the 70s of the last century, it was decided to revive the holiday. It is usually held at the end of February and lasts 10 days. The theme of the holiday is announced in advance. This year there were even two of them - "19th century" and "Unification of Italy". But as they say, you can't step into the same river twice. Traditions are carefully observed. Carnival starts with Festa della Marie, from the campanella - the 100-meter bell tower of St. Mark's Cathedral, an Angel "flies", scattering confetti around him, all the same carnival masks roam the streets ...

Everything is so, but, as eyewitnesses say, the very spirit of the carnival has disappeared. Now it is more of a magnificent sight for tourists than a way of life for the Venetians themselves.

But Venice, an unpredictable city, sometimes miracles happen here. In the 11th century, the relics of St. Mark were found, irretrievably lost during the restoration of the cathedral. Perhaps, sooner or later, another miracle will happen: the real spirit of the Venetian carnival will return - the spirit of cheerful madness, love adventures and artistic adventures.

Used materials from Wikipedia and other sites of the Network.

The Venice Carnival is a costume festival held annually in February in Venice. Mysterious ladies in luxurious outfits and lace half masks, cavaliers in bouts, processions and parades, street performances and music... Today, the carnival in Venice follows the prescribed rules and has a certain theme, but several centuries earlier it was a real revelry of excitement and flirting.

Venice Carnival - luxurious, enchanting, mysterious
Sometimes you really want to remain unrecognized, hide your face under a mask, discard all prejudices and be subjected to emotions. The Venice Carnival, which takes place annually in Italy, gives us such an opportunity. The grandiose enchanting action turns Venice into a kind of theatrical production in which everyone plays their part. Every year half a million tourists come here in search of freedom, drive and magic. Two weeks of a real fairy tale, a lot of pleasant impressions and priceless memories.

Carnival in Venice is one of the most anticipated events of the year, both for the inhabitants of this ancient city and for tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. During the celebration, serene Venice gets rid of any duties and prejudices, turning into one of the freest (in all respects) places on earth.

History of the Venice Carnival

The history of Carnevale di Venezia takes us back to the times of Ancient Rome, to the annual Saturnalia - pagan festivities in honor of the god Saturn (patron of agriculture), which were celebrated in December after harvesting during the winter solstice and were accompanied by mass festivities.
Only during the period of Saturnalia did everyone become equal to each other, any prohibitions and prejudices were removed, even slaves had fun on an equal footing with their masters. And in order to feel comfortable and remain incognito, people put on masks that completely hide their faces. Thus, no one knew whether the slave in front of him or the noble master. It was possible to do anything, regardless of rank and position in society. In ancient Rome, the mask was faceless and the same for everyone.

With the advent of Christian traditions, the holiday has changed a little.- now no one disturbed the ancient Roman pantheon of gods. The holiday was no longer dedicated to the gods, people just wanted to have fun at a holiday where almost everything was allowed. The indispensable attributes of the holiday - the mask, and with it the carnival costume - remained unchanged.
But the date of the holiday has shifted a bit. Carnival began to be held towards the end of winter, in the days preceding the beginning of Lent.

There was a time when the Venice Carnival began already on the second day of Christmas - that is, on the day of St. Stephen according to the Gregorian calendar (December 26). The carnival lasted until the Tuesday before Lent, which always begins in the Catholic Church on Wednesday. This day is sometimes referred to as "Fat Tuesday". Although there are other versions of the chronology of the carnival: for example, from the statements of many historians and contemporaries of the Baroque era, it is clear that it actually did not end. Breaks came only during fasting and, in fact, harvesting. Already in October, the carnival fun began again!

About when exactly did the first Venice carnival take place also there are many versions.
1) In 1094, the Venetian Republic received, under an agreement with Byzantium, houses in Constantinople and additional privileges in taxation, which gave it huge advantages for Mediterranean trade. The celebration of this event may have been the first Venetian carnival.
2) According to another version, the first Venetian carnival was held already in 998, when the young inhabitants of Venice returned their brides, kidnapped by Croatian pirates.
3) The third version says that the first Venetian carnival took place only in 1162, in honor of the celebration of the victory of the Venetian Republic in the war against Patriarch Ulrico. The townspeople poured out in a noisy crowd into St. Mark's Square, where they indulged in a feast and fun.

In 1296, the Venetians also officially legalized the carnival.: The Senate of the Venetian Republic proclaimed the last day before Lent a holiday. This celebration precedes Great Lent like the Slavic Maslenitsa. And at the same time it is a memory of the brightest, funniest and most amazing victory over social (and any other!) stereotypes that could ever happen in medieval Europe.

It is believed that and the very word "carnival" originated from the Latin "carne vale", which means "farewell to meat." This is the canonical church version. The inhabitants - the Venetians thought otherwise. They translated "carnival" as follows: carrus navelis - "amusing chariot, ship of festive processions" and liked to coincide with Festa della Marie - an old holiday dedicated to the rescue of girls kidnapped by Istrian pirates.
Modern carnivals also begin with this holiday. The twelve most beautiful girls in Venice receive prizes - the mayor's office pays them a luxurious cruise.

One thing is known for sure, that in the thirteenth century the last day before the start of Lent was declared a day of celebrations and festivities.
In subsequent years, the carnival in Venice, which was not fixed in date (celebrations could begin in October, reaching its peak on the eve of Lent), gained incredible scope. The last week of the carnival became its main and brightest part. These days there were absolutely no rules and prohibitions, seduction, abduction, seduction and intrigue were allowed. Everyone around was wearing masks and unusual costumes, the spouses did not recognize their halves, dates were made almost every minute, and fun and dancing continued around the clock.

Two centuries later, a fund was set up in Venice to raise funds for the annual Venetian carnival, which by that time had become an integral part of the life of Venice. During the holidays, the whole city flocked to Piazza San Marco to take part in the general Sabantuy and to stare at the performance.
acrobats, jesters and dancers ran out, magnificent fireworks completed the performance. Over time, the Venetian masks, which originally copied the pagan gods of fertility, began to change, reflecting the most important events in the life of the townspeople, and during the Venetian carnivals, the loudest achievements of the Venetians were celebrated. So, the theme for many subsequent Venetian carnivals was given by the great victory of the Venetian Republic in the battle with the Turks. in 1571. The echo of that feast has survived to this day, because even now a magnificent turban or bright wide trousers will surely flash in the carnival crowd on San Marco.

Venetian carnivals gradually spread around the globe. The main attributes of any carnival were costumes and masks, designed to hide social differences and equalize everyone for the duration of the festival.

“While the carnival lasts, everyone wears masks, from the doge to the last servant. Wearing a mask, they do their business, protect processes, buy fish, write, make visits. In a mask, one can say everything and dare to do anything - the mask allowed by the Republic is under its protection. Masked, you can enter everywhere: in the salon, in the office, in the monastery, at the ball, in the palace, in the casino. No barriers, no titles. There is no longer a patrician in a long robe, no porter who kisses its edge, no spy, no nun, no gatherer, no noble lady, no inquisitor, no buffoon, no poor man, no foreigner.

According to the unwritten laws of the medieval carnival, during its period all social conventions and everyday rules of life were canceled: everyone could do whatever he wanted. In those days, commoners often hid under the masks of strict ladies and noble lords, and noble persons walked around under the guise of simpletons, which gave the carnival a special intrigue. Since wealth and poverty were hidden behind masks, any commoner could count on the attention of the princess, and the patrician could easily seduce a seamstress, which in ordinary life was not allowed by the norms of decency. A shoemaker could flirt with a noble lady and vice versa. Masks carefully kept the secrets of their masters...

Some wore a mask for six months, from October to February-March, and the mask gave people the right to remain unrecognized. But the patience of the authorities snapped, and the Church in 1608, by its official decree, banned the wearing of masks outside the carnival, so that no one would dare to commit unseemly acts under the mask.
Those who violated the ban paid the price: men could be imprisoned for up to two months, and women were flogged in public in the central square.

In the 17th century, the carnival became shorter, but from this it is even brighter, faster and more colorful.
On the square of St. Mark comedians played puppet comedies, wandering astrologers predicted the future, acrobats were spinning, ventriloquists were talking in an afterlife voice, patricians, divided into two teams, 25 players on each side, played a game reminiscent of modern football - they tried to throw a leather ball to the side of the enemy. Ropes were stretched between the windows of the palaces, along which rope walkers walked. A bullfight was held in the central square.

There was no time to waste, it was necessary to enjoy every moment. Appointments were made, quarrels broke out between the rivals, the eyes of the beautiful Venetians mysteriously flickered in the slits of the masks. Happy couples sailed in pointed gondolas. The songs of the gondoliers sounded over the numerous canals. The air was saturated with fogs, passion, love, jealousy…
And around the masks, masks, masks ... Circling in an endless sparkling round dance.

Venetian masks and costumes

Masks have always been and remain the main attribute of the Venice Carnival, although masks were not worn at carnivals until the 13th-14th centuries. However, this is not just an accessory that covers the face, but a whole work of art. Venetian masks are distinguished by great sophistication and craftsmanship. The secrets of their manufacture were passed down from generation to generation, preserving the main traditions and absorbing the trends of the present.

At first, masks were made from leather, fabric, or using the original papier-mâché technique. Today they continue to be made by hand, decorated with jewelry, rhinestones, feathers, jewelry, silver and gold.

Since the 15th century, special craftsmen have been making masks.- "maschereri". These masters had a special status in society - after all, they made not just masks, but masks for the carnival.
Each maschereri had several apprentices who were engaged in the manufacture of face prints - the basis of the future mask.

However, favorite mask of the Venetians - Mask of Bauta (ital. Bauta)- just not Venetian modest. There are only two colors - black and white. A white mask that covers the entire face, with cutouts for the eyes, a clear protrusion for the nose and brow ridges, without an opening for the mouth. Its lower part is slightly protruding so that a person can eat and drink without revealing his face.
To the white "mask" - a black cloak. Everyone adored this mask - both patricians and commoners, both men and women. For simplicity and versatility. By the way, it was not only convenient to talk in it, without removing the mask you could feast on your favorite delicacies: delicious “bear crayfish”, fried in oil, lemon juice and herbs, langoustine roll with cuttlefish caviar, squid with asparagus, sea eel, which is served grilled, marinated with tomatoes in Italian marsala wine, vinegar and parsley, baccala, a cod dish, and, of course, roast duck - after all, Great Lent is coming soon.
And the strange name “bauta” is a fictional monster, akin to our “beech” and “byaka”.

The classic masks of the Venetian carnival are except for Bauta (the most simple and popular), Moretta (“The Silent Servant”), the Venetian Lady, the Cat (The appearance of the Cat mask has a fairly simple reason: there were very few cats in Venice, and the inhabitants of the city on the water had great interest and respect for them) , Doctor Plague (derived from a real costume that was a tragic necessity during epidemics) and Volto (neutral "Citizen" mask).

Venetian Lady (Dama di Venezia)- a mask that personifies an exquisite and languid beauty. This is the image of a seductive titled Venetian lady from the time of Titian and the Cinquecento period: a magnificent dress, an abundance of jewelry, a fancy headdress or a complex and richly decorated hairstyle. This mask was fastened with ribbons on the heads of the owners, but there were also masks with a handle attached to the chin.

Moretta ("Darkie" from Italian "la moretta", "Silent servant" from Italian "servetta muta")- a female round or slightly oval black velvet mask (occasionally it was supplemented with a lace ribbon over the eyes). She came to Venice from France. The name of this mask (according to one of the versions) comes from the word "Moor", which in the Venetian dialect means black.
The mask has no mouth and no straps for fastening. It is kept on the face due to the internal pin, which the owner is clamped in her teeth, which makes it impossible for her to speak. Casanova extolled this silence as dignity, seductiveness, an alluring mystery: a woman without a face, voice, and answers only with sign language. And it is precisely this subtext that is reflected in the everyday names of this mask, which can be translated as “Joy of husbands” and “Mask of family well-being”. However, for the sake of truth, one can only envy the Venetians - at all times they lived quite freely and a lot was allowed to them. In addition, according to eyewitnesses, the black color of the mask perfectly emphasized the noble pallor of the face, which was especially appreciated in the high society of those times.

Modern Morettas are rare and are made exclusively to order.

Plague Doctor (Medico della Peste, English plague doctor, German Pestarzt, Italian physici epidemeie)- one of the most famous and most terrible masks, with a long curved nose, like a beak. It was invented by the French doctor Charles de Lorme to protect against bacteria. During the plague epidemic, doctors put on such a mask when visiting patients. Disinfecting salts and plants that secrete aromatic oils: rosemary, garlic, juniper, etc., were placed in the long nose, which were supposed to protect against infection with the disease. In the Middle Ages, the very appearance of the "Plague Doctor" terrified the inhabitants of European cities, because it meant only one thing - the arrival of inexorable Death. All this was so terrible and inescapable that when the plague began to visit the cities less often, the people had to ridicule, to transform the frightening image of the plague doctor. And the old sad image of the messenger of death, which did not fit in so well with the joy of Carnival, eventually transformed into its antipode. And the kind "Plague Doctor", due to the brightness and memorability of his image, has become one of the most popular Venetian masks.

Volto This mask is also known as the Citizen. For space and neutrality, ordinary citizens loved to wear it. This is the most “faceless” of all masks, repeating the oval of an ordinary human face without any features or special features. With the simplicity of the oval and the type of fastening, this mask is similar to the Venetian Lady, that is, it was attached to the head with ribbons or had a handle on the chin.
Initially, the mask had a white or gold color, without any decorations. Relatively recently, the Volto mask began to be decorated with paintings, stones, cords, sparkles and fabrics.

Cat (Gatto)- the only animal mask at the holidays in Venice, which has gained immense popularity. Cats in Venice for a long time were valued for all the gold - for a good mouser cat they gave as much gold as he weighed.
There are many testimonies about the sympathy of the Venetians for cats. This was written by the Englishman John Lock, who served as a sailor in 1553 on a ship of the Venetians. He witnessed the fall of a ship's cat overboard and made the following entry in his diary: “Falling overboard, the cat tried to stay on the water, and our captain, as soon as he found out about what had happened, ordered a boat with six sailors to be sent for her ... It's hard to believe that they would be so quick to rescue if one of the crew members was overboard.

Joker (Jester, Jester, Fool, Buffon, Buffon, Narr or Naaror, Zhuglar, female - Joli, Jolli)- this image lives on the verge between classical masks and images from the commedia dell'arte.
In all cultures there is an image of a cheerful adventurer, a deceiver. He was either a god, or a court jester, or a beggar in rags. The jester could ridicule any courtier, including the king himself, and go unpunished. Bufon was considered a symbolic twin-opposite of the ruler (like Yin and Yang) and said what even the most powerful of this world were afraid to say.
Jokers usually wore costumes made from a variety of patches of bright colors. The famous three-tailed headdress with bells at the ends symbolized the ears and tail of a donkey, which has long been an iconic symbol of jesters. Other highlights of the Joker's look were constant laughter and a fake scepter, also known as a bauble or marotte.

In the 18th century, the main characters of the Venetian carnival were the heroes of the Italian comedy Del Arte: hundreds and thousands of Harlequins, Pierrot, Pantalone, Pulcinello, Pedrolino, Zanni, Brighell appeared on the streets, and the lovely Columbine becomes the face, or rather the mask of the carnival

Columbine mask does not completely cover the face, leaving the lips open. Often decorated with gold, silver, crystal and feathers. At first, the mask was part of the image of the actress Colombina in the commedia dell'arte. According to legend, the woman was so beautiful that she did not want to hide her whole face, so this mask was created just for her. Subsequently, it became very popular because it was comfortable to eat and kiss in it.

At the same time, the tradition arose and survived to this day on the first day of the carnival to lower a mechanical dove - Colombina, from which confetti pours down a rope over St. Mark's Square from the bell tower. A rain of confetti marks the official start of the carnival. Immediately after this comes the time of unbridled fun.

The carnival was celebrated not only by rich Venetian nobles, giving a masquerade ball in luxurious palaces. During the reign of the Venetian doges, the festive action took place in three city blocks - Piazzetta, Riva de Schiavoni, and the main events unfolded in St. Mark's Square. Common people also had fun in the streets and squares. Acrobats, jugglers, dancers, magicians, street musicians, trained predators brought from distant lands performed everywhere - it seemed that a multi-colored river was flowing through the streets of Venice. In mobile shops one could buy all sorts of sweets or simply eat. During the masquerade, there was a brisk trade in dried fruits, roasted chestnuts and sweets, and the goods were offered not only by the Venetians themselves, but also by merchants from overseas countries who specially gathered in Venice during the carnival days.

Since the 18th century, thanks to the great popularity of the holiday in Europe and the exploits of the famous adventurer-tempter Giacomo Casanova Carnival costumes have become more varied and brighter. “I hid under clothes and a clown mask. My thoughts, intentions, actions are unexpected. I can constantly reincarnate and do things with laughter that may seem forbidden or obscene to many. To love without loving...”, wrote Giacomo Casanova about the carnival.

The 18th century was the era of the highest flowering of the Venetian carnival throughout history. The 18th century is about dancing in the squares, luxurious carnival costumes embroidered with gold and adorned with precious stones, which become examples of high fashion. The irresistible spirit of flirting and betrayal, the feeling of complete freedom and the expectation of exciting adventures attracted aristocracy from all over Europe to this masquerade. The fame and popularity of the carnival were so high that even high-ranking persons did not consider it shameful to take part in boundless fun incognito. During the carnival, everything was subject to the Venetian mask. In masks, they not only had fun, but also went to work and shopping, to theaters and on dates. The mask abolished all norms of behavior, and on carnival days and nights, when the Catholic Church bashfully averted its gaze from the Venetian streets, it was considered bad form not to commit a fall under its cover.

Then during the carnival, almost everything was allowed. In the whirlpool of celebration, forbidden displays of passion and petty inaccuracies became available. The rich in excitement spent big money in gambling houses, some married couples did not hesitate to cheat on their husbands and wives. Counts became jesters, servants became kings, kings became poor, and well-mannered and polite princesses became seductive courtesans. Everything was easy and simple, because the face was covered with a mask. Almost everyone wore them during the carnival, even in churches and at home. However, such frank celebrations did not last long.

It's a common thing that prosperity always comes with decline. And even the Venetian carnival could not escape this bitter fate. In 1797, French troops occupied Italy, and by decree of Napoleon, Venetian carnivals were banned. Napoleon Bonaparte, being an ardent opponent of carnivals and public games, banned these outrages.

But Venice could not and did not want to say goodbye forever to the holiday, which for several centuries was the soul of the city. Oddly enough, the beginning of its revival was laid by a banal commercial calculation. After the Second World War, Venice became one of the main tourist centers in Europe. Many new hotels, cafes and restaurants opened in the city, but it soon became clear that they were idle for almost the entire winter. And in the late 70s, the idea arose to revive the legendary carnival. Only in 1979 did the Italian government announce the resumption of the annual carnivals. choosing this event as a means to promote the history and culture of Venice.

Since then, every year at the very end of winter, Venice is again filled with a wave of visitors, who become several times more than the Venetians themselves. The cheerful and reckless spirit of the carnival, which had languished in oblivion for almost two centuries, once released, quickly regained its lost glory.

This flamboyant masked festival has become Venice's trademark, and carnival lovers have already spoken a wide variety of languages and dialects. Art, literature, theater, and then cinema used carnival images with might and main - as they continue to use them with pleasure now.

In modern Italy the carnival is celebrated for ten days, the time of the celebration, as a rule, falls on February. Solemn the opening of the carnival always falls on Sunday, but since Saturday, a huge number of tourists have been wandering the streets of the city. The solemn event begins with the medieval festival Festa delle Marie dedicated to the liberation of the beautiful Venetians. The procession runs from the San Pietro Palace to the Piazza San Marco, where the Marys (twelve beauties of Venice) appear before the audience.

One of them, the winner of the competition, becomes the main character next year "Flight of an Angel" and at noon flies over the crowd from the bell tower of the Cathedral of San Marco in a snow-white dress (according to tradition), directly to the main square of Venice.

And then the carnival spreads to St. Mark's Square and other squares, where concerts, performances, performances and masquerade balls are held. After the renewal of the tradition make carnival themed, dedicating it either to outstanding persons, or cultures of other nations, or travel to other countries. A few years ago, it was dedicated to Fellini, and the carnival "Journeys and Travelers", "The East and its Culture", etc. was also held. All performances of the Venice Carnival in Italy, as well as the costumes of the main acting characters and heroes, were kept in the theme of the holiday. The theme for 2014 was nature, 2015 for delicious food, and 2016 for Arts and Crafts.

In 1996, the carnival in Venice even got its own anthem., the world-famous couturier Pierre Cardin, a native of the Venice region, is involved in the creation of which.

The beauty of Carnevale di Venezia is that it is an open event, accessible to tourists from any country. Anyone can try on an 18th or 19th century costume and join the noisy crowd of celebrating. A prerequisite is the wearing of a bauta (a special carnival mask), without it the holiday is not considered a holiday.
Among the entertainment: parades, musical and theatrical performances, performances of comedies dell'arte, competitions, balls, performances by the best creative teams in Italy, magicians, jugglers, mimes, clowns and acrobats, tournaments, old games and, of course, bright fireworks.

A few days before the official opening of the carnival romantics from all over Europe come to the city, and crowded processions of orchestras and street theaters begin to walk through the streets: the marchers are fooling around, blowing trumpets and beating drums, yelling songs, launching firecrackers - in a word, they depict this very carnival in every possible way.
Merchants put mountains of carnival products on the shelves: masks, raincoats, caps - now everyone can become a full participant in the approaching carnival. The theme of the holiday is announced in advance. On the day of the official opening of the holiday, Commedia del Arte performances are held in St. Mark's Square: the heirs of the great Scaramouche diligently slap the Captain and the Doctor. Then tons of confetti fall on the square, and thousands of balloons are launched into the sky. This is how the carnival begins. People in expensive masks and exquisite costumes take turns taking the stage.

Preparing for the main celebration in your hometown, the inhabitants of Venice carefully and for a long time choose their costumes. At the festival, you can transform into anyone, so individual outfits are real works of art. Tourists do not always have the opportunity to prepare for the carnival with the same care and bring their costume with them, but this is not a problem. On the eve of the celebration, traditional costumes, masks and attributes are freely sold at every corner. They are made from fur, brocade or velvet. True, the costumes are very expensive, but participation in the carnival program as a mask is worth it.

Masks are made from special types of plaster, papier-mâché, paints, fabrics, foil, various decorative materials. Decorating and painting a real Venetian mask is painstaking handwork. Masters use for this both simple and very valuable components - soil, gold leaf, natural bird feathers and precious stones. One of the most important events of the carnival is the competition for the best mask.

The classic Venetian costume is considered a white mask, complemented by a black wide cloak, a silk cape, a three-cornered hat and gloves. It is also necessary to remember that when the carnival in Venice is gaining momentum, costumes and masks should be worn according to the rules. That is, wearing a carnival costume and a mask, you can’t speak any language, you can speak only with the help of gestures.

Celebrate in Venice not only in the squares and streets of the city, but also in luxurious palazzos where royal carnival balls are held

Similar celebrations are also held at Palazzo Pisani Moretta and Casino of Venice, however, to get inside, you must definitely put on a suit, mask and take care of the invitation in advance.

If there is no opportunity to purchase a suit and mask, do not be upset. For ordinary spectators and guests of the city, there are a huge number of other festivities where you can take your soul and please the eye. In addition, without a mask, you can safely drink wine and enjoy carnival fritelli donuts. You definitely won't enjoy them in a suit.

The Venice Carnival these days is carnival freedom, days of theatre, music and street food. February 16 there is a boat procession along the Grand Canal, competitions of traditional clothes and masks, costume balls and historical reconstructions, and near the church of San Giacomo dell "Orio, representatives of Italian companies treat everyone with traditional Venetian sweets and drinks.

In addition to traditional entertainment, an integral part of the Venetian carnival is a football match, which usually takes place on the fifth day of fun. The Venetians are sure that this sport was born in their city, and on the days of the holiday they arrange a real reconstruction of medieval football.

Carnival ends the burning of an effigy and general dancing in Piazza San Marco. The last day of carnival is Fat Tuesday, followed by a forty-day fast before Easter. The closing of the carnival marks another "flying" show - this is the "Flight of the Lion", the winged symbol of Venice and the symbol of the main Christian patron of the city, the evangelist Mark. The next day, the city falls asleep, so that a year later, for ten days, it explodes again with a fountain of fun and whirls its guests in a stormy stream of carnival.

Do you want to plunge into the atmosphere of unbridled fun, get a huge charge of vivacity and romantic mood? Then go to Venice in February. This romantic corner of the world, indented by a network of canals, has inspired poets, musicians and writers since ancient times. The real symbol of the city is the famous Venice Carnival, which is held just in early February. This is the oldest carnival in the world. At the Venice Carnival, you can feel like an exquisite courtesan, a handsome prince or Casanova, conquering the hearts of women.

During the days of the carnival, all of Venice seems to turn into a continuous theatrical stage with luxurious carnival costumes, masks and tons of confetti. The Venice Carnival lasts for ten days and its apogee falls on February 14 - Valentine's Day. Therefore, it is so nice to go to the Venice Carnival with your loved one, because the romantic atmosphere of the holiday contributes to love confessions and sincere feelings. Or you can just go to the carnival in Venice in order to forget about your daily routine for a while and plunge headlong into a noisy holiday.

From the history of the Venice Carnival

It is believed that the carnival as such was born in Venice. The word "carnival" itself comes from the Latin "carnis laxatio", which literally means "freedom for the flesh", that is, the opportunity to eat meat dishes before the start of Lent. According to another version, the word "carnival" refers to the Latin "carrus navalis" or "amusing chariot". So in ancient times they called the wagon-ship, on which during the holidays they carried idols of fertility.

Be that as it may, the traditions of celebrating carnivals date back to the Romans. They arranged grandiose feasts on the days of worshiping the god of harvest and fertility Saturn in order to return the times of universal equality and prosperity. On such holidays, the huge gap between the slave and his master practically disappeared - the slaves could sit at the same table with the Roman nobles and enjoy the festive meal. Perhaps it was from those times that the famous carnival masks came to us, so that secular prejudices did not interfere with unbridled fun. The carnival mask made it possible to hide the true appearance of each person so that he could do whatever he wanted during the holiday, without thinking about the consequences.

Regarding the date of the celebration of the first Venice Carnival, historians disagree. Probably the first carnival in Venice took place in 1094, when the Republic of Venice received from Byzantium houses in Constantinople and various privileges, which provided the city with huge advantages in Mediterranean trade. The celebration of this event was the first Venice Carnival.

There is also a version that carnival festivities first took place in 998. Then the inhabitants of Venice were able to return safe and sound their brides from pirate captivity. The news of such a successful denouement instantly spread throughout the city and resulted in folk festivities. Since the end of the 13th century, the Venice Carnival has become an integral part of the life of the city. His main idea was the opportunity for a short time to forget about secular and religious prohibitions and let go of his desires. Wealthy Venetian nobles held costumed balls and theatrical performances in their luxurious palaces. Ordinary residents flocked to the famous Piazza San Marco to take part in the festivities and stare at the performances with the participation of fighting dogs, acrobats, dancers and jesters.

The era of the highest flowering of the Venice Carnival was the 18th century, when representatives of the aristocracy from all over Europe began to flock to the city in search of a complete sense of freedom and romance. Interest in carnival festivities has grown so much that now even high-ranking persons were not forbidden to participate in folk festivals and endless fun. The main characters of the carnival were the heroes of the Italian comedy Del Arte, a special kind of street theater - Harlequin, Pierrot, Pantalone and Colombina. It was in the costumes and masks that personified these heroes that the inhabitants of Venice began to dress. Also, a tradition arose on the first day of the carnival to lower a mechanical dove from the bell tower over Piazza San Marco. From it, confetti rained down on the square, which served as a sign for the official start of the carnival.

After Italy was conquered by the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, festive carnivals in Venice were banned. And only at the end of the 70s of the last century, it was decided to restore the tradition of celebrating the carnival in February in order to attract tourists to the city. The Venetian carnival has again acquired an unprecedented scale, and today, during the days of this holiday, the number of people coming to Venice is becoming more than the inhabitants of the city themselves.

Carnival celebration in Venice

Already a few weeks before the start of the Venice Carnival, romantics and tourists from all over the world come to the city. The carnival is preceded by the ancient holiday "Festa delle Marie", which is dedicated to the release of beautiful Venetian women from captivity. From the exquisite San Pietro Palace to Piazza San Marco, a solemn procession with music takes place. In the central square of Venice, seven young and beautiful residents of the city, the seven Marys, appear before the audience. On the day of the official opening of the carnival, a grandiose theatrical performance is held in the same Piazza San Marco, tons of confetti fall on the square from the bell tower. Festive balloons are launched into the sky.

With the opening of the carnival, city streets, squares and bridges literally begin to seethe, tourists and residents of Venice mix with the festive crowd, dressed in unique costumes and masks. The city is also flooded with street musicians, processions from orchestras and theaters. In restaurants and cafes, wine begins to flow like water, and concerts and festive fireworks are held on the main squares.

Even before the start of the carnival, merchants lay out a variety of masks, carnival costumes, caps and raincoats on the shelves so that everyone can plunge into the atmosphere of this costume show. Venetian masks are still an integral part of the carnival show. In the old days, masks helped hide one's true identity and social position. In addition, they turned out to be very useful for romantically inclined boys and girls, who could, without any hesitation, make acquaintances with each other. And today, carnival masks retain their significance, helping tourists and residents of the city to feel the atmosphere of unbridled fun and romance.

Common masks of the Venice Carnival are Harlequin, Colombina, Pedrolino and other characters from the Italian comedy Del Arte. Also in use are classical masks that have nothing to do with the theater. For example, the elegant and very refined mask of the Venetian Lady, in which secular beauties of the time of Titian liked to flaunt. Or the terrible mask of Doctor Plague with a long beak-shaped nose. Doctors wore such a mask when they visited the sick during the plague epidemics that raged in Venice. Dressed up in a long linen cloak and the mask of Doctor Plague, you will turn into something similar to an ominous bird. Such terrible masks do not frighten anyone during the Venice Carnival, on the contrary, they give the holiday a special charm.

In general, the carnival in Venice presents many opportunities for reincarnation. You can dress up in a simple, inexpensive carnival costume with a cape, hat and mask, or choose some luxurious costume that is a real work of art in itself. All carnival masks and costumes today are made from lightweight materials, so they do not interfere with fun all day long.

During the celebration of the carnival in the ancient palaces of Venice, various masquerade balls are held, which you can get into only by purchasing an entrance ticket in advance. But even if you couldn't get to one of the exclusive masquerade balls, there is always the opportunity to join the colorful costume performances held in the squares and streets of Venice. For ten whole days you are provided with a real fountain of fun, in which each person forgets about the conventions and everyday rules of life, simply plunging into the amazing atmosphere of the holiday. The Venice Carnival ends with the burning of an effigy and festivities in Piazza San Marco.

Venice is an ancient Italian city, which, as you know, inevitably sinks into the waters of the Adriatic Sea every year. The intoxicating Venetian carnival is perhaps the only opportunity to watch this beautiful city come alive again and embrace its centuries-old traditions. A trip to Venice in February will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of costumed performances, romance and fun. Have fun, take part in carnival festivities and get a lot of unforgettable impressions in one of the most beautiful parts of the world - what could be better?

Located in the northern part of Italy, Venice is known to foreigners primarily for its submerged streets. But not only gondola rides may be of interest to travelers: lovers of event tourism can count on the annual entertainment events held in this northern city. We are talking, of course, about one of the most famous costume events - the Venetian carnival.

history of the holiday

The history of the Venetian carnival has its roots in the distant past: every year during the winter solstice after the harvest, the ancient Romans held mass festivities in honor of the god Saturn, called Saturnalia. It was then that the very concept of a carnival mask arose. The fact is that during the mass celebrations, the slaves sat at the same table with their masters and, so that class prejudices did not spoil the fun, the faces of the feasters were hidden under masks.

It has not yet been possible to determine for certain how the name "carnival" itself appeared. One of the most popular versions is the statement of the Catholic Church about the connection of the word "carnival" with the Latin "carne vale", which literally translates as "farewell to meat." In an attempt to adapt the pre-Christian celebration to the new faith, the Catholic Church used it to prepare for the strictest and longest fast of the year before Easter Sunday. The first written mention of the Venetian carnival dates back to 1094, and already in 1296 the Senate of the Republic of Venice declared the last day before Lent an official holiday.

Festive carnival trends from the Venetians were "picked up" by residents of other cities and countries. The main attributes of any carnival action were masks and costumes, the main purpose of which was to hide social differences. Among the inhabitants of Venice themselves, Venetian carnival masks became so popular that they were worn not only on carnival, but also on ordinary days. Moreover, often the faces were hidden for the commission of very unseemly acts, such as theft. Because of this, the wearing of carnival masks in Venice outside of action was forbidden by the Catholic Church. And in 1608, a decree was issued, according to which, violating the decree, men were sentenced to a fine and two years in prison, and women were publicly flogged with rods in the city square.

The Venice Carnival became a real outlet for the Italians, who lived under the cruel yoke of religious prohibitions, and therefore nothing shameful and unlawful for a man in a suit and mask simply did not exist. Almost until the end of the 18th century, the carnival remained the brightest event in the social life of the Venetians, but then interest in it faded. The history of the Venetian carnival found its continuation only in the second half of the 20th century.

The traditional symbol of the annual carnival action in Venice is the mask. In everyday life, the masks of the Venetian carnival were very popular: they resorted to their help both during romantic dates and for actions related to breaking the law.

Leather, velvet and papier-mâché are the main materials used to make Venetian masks. The very first carnival masks had an unpretentious design and were practical. But the modern masks of the Venetian carnival are a real work of art. They are hand-painted with gold leaf and ground, decorated with feathers and precious stones. Most of the Venetian carnival masks are from the commedia dell'arte, a street performance very popular among the people of Italy.

One of the most popular masks was the bauta: it was worn not only by the poor, but also by those rich who wanted to “go out to the people” while remaining incognito. The slightly creepy design not only changed the owner's voice, but also allowed them to eat without removing the mask.

Columbine's half mask is decorated with feathers, gold, crystal and silver. The legend of her appearance tells of a beautiful actress who did not want to hide her beauty. A mask was made for her, covering only part of her face.

A very interesting story preceded the appearance of the mask of the Venetian carnival cat. Although there were few cats in the sinking city, they were treated with great respect. One Chinese came to Italy with absolutely no money, but with a cat. Despite its rather advanced age, the animal managed to catch all the rats and mice in the palace. The Doge was so pleased that he showered the Chinese with gold so that the cat would stay in Venice. Having decided that they would pay more for the indescribable beauty of silk than for a decrepit cat, the Chinese returned to Italy with a new product. Brought by the merchant, the fabrics delighted the Doge so much that he said goodbye to the most valuable thing he had at that time without the slightest hesitation. This is how the cat returned to its homeland.

Venice carnival today

Approximately half a million tourists from different parts of the world come to the Venetian Carnival every year. A celebration dedicated to the release of girls kidnapped by pirates from Istria, the Festa delle Marie opens the action. Performances in the style of commedia dell'arte are shown on the square, after which tons of confetti rain down on the audience. And then the procession begins. Street concerts, fireworks, theatrical performances, palace balls, masquerades - this is the little that pleases the Venetian carnival. The costumes of the Venetians, personifying the popular characters of the Italian comedy - Pierrot, Columbine, Harlequin, Pantalone - become a kind of emblem of Venice for several days. Carnival today is an attempt to display the frivolous, reckless and enchantingly cheerful atmosphere of the ancient Roman Saturnalia.

In 1996, the world-famous couturier Pierre Cardin personally wrote the anthem of the Venice Carnival, and a distinctive feature of the carnival productions of recent years is the participation of the Russian artist Mikhail Shemyakin in them. The costumes of many representatives of the elite of different countries are sewn according to his sketches. But less demanding travelers prefer to make exclusive Venetian masks with their own hands. This is not only much cheaper financially, but also allows the average tourist to feel their involvement in such an ancient and great event called the Venetian carnival.(jcomments on)

Venice Carnival 2019: program and dates of the festival. What to do and how to spend time if you are lucky enough to be in Venice during the winter festivities.

#2. Savoia & Jolanda 4*

High-quality European "four". A smart decision is to choose a hotel in the Castello area and withdraw from the bustle of San Marco for the night. The hotel has palace-style rooms (warning lovers of minimalism) and a terrace overlooking the Grand Canal.

Hotel Savoia & Jolanda 4* (Carnival of Venice 2019)

#3. Splendid Venice 4*

There are many advantages: location, the ability to order a water taxi to the entrance, a panoramic rooftop terrace, the proximity of San Marco (500 meters). The hotel took care of comfortable beds and delicious breakfasts. We are in love with him! 8.7 points on booking.com + 9.5 (!) for location.

Hotel Splendid Venice 4* (Venice Carnival 2019)

#4. Hotel Anastasia 3*

One of the best budget hotels in the San Marco area. To the famous square 300 m - none of the events of the celebration will pass you by! The rooms are well furnished, guests also note the hospitality and professionalism of the staff.

Double room in Hotel Anastasia 3* (Venice)

#5. Hotel Bel Sito & Berlino

Hotel in traditional Venetian style at an adequate price. The design of the rooms is very romantic, everyone will like it, but especially couples in love! The food is delicious, wi-fi works well, all the main attractions are nearby.

Remember - Hotel Concordia (Carnival of Venice 2019)

What to buy at the carnival in Venice

Once at the carnival, you will surely want to treat yourself with gifts. Souvenirs that you don't mind spending money on in such an expensive city as Venice:

Arcana I Mage (Tarocco del Carnevale di Venezia) - the most valuable find at the Venice Carnival!

Carnival mask. Without this beauty, you are unlikely to leave the city. For gifts, buy several copies at an average price, and the minimum program can be considered completed;
Champagne Bellini- sparkling drink with apricot flavor. If you want something more elegant, take a look at wines from the province of Veneto. For the price of 10-12 EUR you will get a worthy gift;
Tarot cards with a Venetian theme. A deck that can be used as a guide - Tarocchi di Venezia Dal Negro Publishers. It has been discontinued, but is rarely found in Venetian shops. Taro Casanova from Lo Scarabeo also pleases with views of the city, you can buy everywhere. Tarocco del Carnevale di Venezia 1988, entirely dedicated to the carnival in Venice. It is difficult to find, but if you suddenly succeed, you should know that collectors are ready to pay 500 EUR for one copy;
One of the thousands confetti on which the dove scatters during the opening ceremony. The souvenir is absolutely free, but the most valuable.

Excursions in Venice and surroundings

The best excursions in Venice are not mass “gondola rides”, but unusual routes from locals. They are created by creative people who have something to tell and show. All tours are conducted in Russian.