Carnival in Italy costumes. Venice Carnival: who is who? Carnival in Acireale, Sicily

Mysterious ladies in luxurious dresses and lace half-masks, gentlemen in bautas, processions and parades, street performances and music... Today, the carnival in Venice follows prescribed rules and has a certain theme, but several centuries ago it was a real riot of excitement and flirtation.

History of the masquerade

The history of Carnevale di Venezia takes us back to the times of Ancient Rome, for the annual Saturnalia - a holiday in honor of the ancient Roman god Saturn, patron of agriculture. Saturnalia was celebrated in December, the days of the winter solstice.

Only during the Saturnalia period did everyone become equal to each other- the slave became equal to his master and had the right to sit with him at the same table. And so that social status would not embarrass anyone or give rise to prejudice, everyone wore special masks that completely hid their faces. Thus, no one knew whether the man in front of him was a slave or a noble master. You could do whatever you wanted, regardless of rank and position in society.

With the advent of Christian traditions, the holiday 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, during which 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 little. The carnival began to be held towards the end of winter, in the days preceding the beginning of Lent.

The date of the first Venice Carnival is also mentioned differently in different sources.. According to some sources, the first carnival was held in 1094, when the Republic of Venice celebrated the conclusion of a successful treaty with Byzantium, which gave it advantages for trade in the Mediterranean.

Another version shifts the date of the carnival to 1162, when in the confrontation between the Venetian Republic and Patriarch Ulrico, the first emerged victorious. To commemorate this victory, the townspeople held public festivities and feasts in St. Mark's Square.

In 1296, the holiday already became an official city carnival - the Senate of the Venetian Republic declared the last day before Lent a holiday.

The heyday of carnival in Venice dates back to the 18th century.– then during the festivities almost everything was allowed. Entire fortunes were lost in casinos and gambling houses, ladies cheated on their husbands, and husbands cheated on their wives. The air was simply filled with excitement.

Everything was quite frivolous and simple - after all, the face was hidden by a mask, which means no one would know who was committing these atrocities. At the end of the 18th century (1797), after the capture of Italy by the French, Napoleon Bonaparte, being an ardent opponent of carnivals and public games, banned these outrages.

The revival of the masquerade occurred only in the 80s of the 20th century, and then the holiday began to be held on an even greater scale, as if recouping the years of disgrace.

On the pages of our website you will also find out where it is located and how to get from it to nearby cities.

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When the event takes place: date of celebration in 2017

Currently the Carnevale di Venezia is themed- the main theme of the holiday is officially established. For example, for 10 years the theme of the holiday was cinema, namely the films of Federico Fellini.

There were holidays dedicated to travel in general(theme – “Travel and Travellers”) or a specific country or part of the world (“The East and its traditions”). All performances of the Venice Carnival in Italy, as well as the costumes of the main characters and heroes, followed the theme of the holiday. The theme for 2014 was nature, 2015 was food, and 2016 was Arts and Crafts.

Preparations for the 2017 events are in full swing: after all, the celebration period is from February 11 to February 28 inclusive. During these two weeks, Venice will bloom and sparkle with a hundred shades.

The beauty of Carnevale di Venezia is that this is an open event open to tourists from any country. Anyone can try on an 18th or 19th century costume and join the noisy crowd of celebrants. A mandatory condition is wearing a bauta (a special carnival mask); without it, the holiday is not considered a holiday.

Is it true, to create a carnival look, you will have to fork out a fair amount: luxurious and expensive fabrics, lace, fur - such chic outfits cost a lot. Fortunately, there are companies that are ready to offer rental of traditional carnival costumes for a fee.

But if you didn’t have time during the official celebration, don’t be upset - a carnival mask and other paraphernalia can be purchased in special souvenir shops.

The price for the most expensive and luxurious bouts reaches 150 euros. But don’t rush to buy them: sometimes masks for 5-10 euros are much more convenient, and they are not inferior in beauty.

After watching this video, you can plunge into the atmosphere of the Venice Carnival celebration:

Note to tourists:

Sometimes you really want to remain unrecognized, hide your face under a mask, throw away all prejudices and be exposed to emotions. Venice Carnival, which takes place annually in, gives us such an opportunity. The grandiose enchanting performance turns into a kind of theatrical production in which everyone plays their role. Half a million tourists come here every year in search of freedom, drive and magic. Two weeks of a real fairy tale, many pleasant impressions and priceless memories.

From the history of the Venetian carnival

An integral part of the famous city on the water - Venice Carnival. Its history goes back to antiquity and originates from the famous ancient Roman Saturnalia, pagan festivals that took place annually on the winter solstice in honor of the harvest. These days everyone was walking and having fun. Any prohibitions and prejudices were lifted, even slaves had fun on equal terms with their masters. And to feel comfortable and remain incognito, people wore masks. The Venetians also began to use this long-standing tradition, giving it a special sophistication.

With the spread of Christianity, priests timed Carnival in Venice for the winter fast before Easter. In 1094, Doge Vitale Faliero entered the name “Venetian Carnival” into official documents, and in 1296 the holiday became public.

The carnival gained its greatest popularity in Europe in the 18th century. Back then, almost everything was allowed during the carnival. In the whirlpool of celebration, forbidden manifestations of passion and minor mistakes became accessible. Rich people in excitement spent crazy amounts of money in gambling houses; some married couples, without hesitation, cheated 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 by a mask. During the carnival, almost everyone wore them, even in church and at home. However, such open celebrations did not last long. At the end of the century, in 1797, after the capture of Italy by French troops, Napoleon canceled the Venice Carnival. It was revived not so long ago, only in 1980.

Modernity

Currently Carnival in Venice has a thematic character. Ten years ago it was dedicated to Fellini, and there was also the carnival “Travel and Travellers”, “The East and Its Culture”, etc. In 2014, the theme of the carnival was “The Magical World of Nature”, the celebration took place from February 15 to March 4, 2014.

Celebrating the Venice Festival in St. Mark's Square.

Entertainment includes: parades, musical and theatrical performances, commedia dell'arte performances, competitions, balls, performances by the best creative groups in Italy, magicians, jugglers, mimes, clowns and acrobats, tournaments, ancient games and, of course, bright fireworks.


According to tradition, the carnival begins with the ancient holiday “Festa delle Marie”, dedicated to the release of Venetian girls kidnapped by Istrian pirates. On the first day, a theatrical masquerade procession takes place, which starts from the Palace of San Pietro and passes throughout the city. At noon, an angel in the form of a beautiful girl in a snow-white dress descends from the bell tower of San Marco (according to tradition), then the carnival is considered open.

On February 16, a boat procession takes place along the Grand Canal, and near the church of San Giacomo dell'Orio, representatives of Italian companies treat everyone to traditional Venetian sweets and drinks.

They 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 held at Palazzo Pisani Moretta and Casino of Venice, however, to get inside, you must wear a suit, a mask and take care of the invitation in advance.

Venetian masks and costumes

The main attribute of the Venice Carnival has always been and remains masks. 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 have been passed down from generation to generation, preserving the basic traditions and absorbing modern trends.
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.
In the late Middle Ages in Venice, masks became so popular that they began to be worn on weekdays and were often used during the commission of crimes. This prompted the Church to issue a ban on wearing masks. It was allowed to wear them only during celebrations.

The traditional men's costume for Carnival was a black wide cloak (tabarro) combined with a silk cape (bauta), a tricorne hat (tricorno) and a white mask.

Since the 18th century, thanks to the great popularity of the holiday in Europe and the exploits of the famous adventurer and tempter Giacomo Casanova, costumes for the carnival have become more varied and brighter.

Subsequently, the masks began to reflect the images of the main characters of Italian comedy - Pantalone, Pierrot, Columbine and Harlequin. Today the choice of masks is simply amazing. Experts highlight main types of Venetian carnival masks.

Bauta mask(Italian: Bauta) - 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.

Morret's Mask(Italian: Moretta) has an oval shape that completely covers the face. It is often made of black velvet, with holes for the eyes but no cutouts for the lips. The mask was popular among women. It was worn during the carnival and on secret dates.

Larva(Italian: Larva) - the most common oval-shaped mask for the entire face, mostly white in color, may have a small hole for the mouth.

"Plague Doctor"(Medico della pesto, Italian: Medico Della Peste) - 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 wore such a mask when visiting patients. Disinfecting salts and plants that emit aromatic oils: rosemary, garlic, juniper, etc., which were supposed to protect against infection by disease, were placed in the long nose.

Gatto mask(Gatto) - a mask in the shape of a cat, covers the middle of the face.

The last month of winter in Italy is a mixture of unbridled and perky fun, smiles, dancing and competitions that one of the most popular carnivals brings with it not only in the land of sun and wine, but throughout the world.

From year to year, the Venice Carnival attracts thousands of tourists who want to plunge into the amazing atmosphere of celebration and fairy tales. This is one of the most anticipated and anticipated events of the year not only for, but for all of Italy.

During the carnival, on the streets of one of the most romantic cities in the world, you can meet a glamorous dandy dressed in a luxurious colorful suit, or a business man who stands out from the crowd not with a diplomat, but with an “anonymous” mask.

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The date of this unique event varies from year to year and directly depends on Ash Wednesday, one of the holidays whose date is determined annually.

According to tradition, Carnival in Venice begins 12 days before Ash Wednesday: the day when believers begin Lent, which will last forty-five days.

This name was given to this day because of the old rite, during which ashes were sprinkled on the heads of those confessing as a sign of remission of sins and the priest uttered the following words: “From dust you came and to dust you will return.”

Now is the time to familiarize yourself with all the details and book a ticket to the magical city on the water. What awaits Venetians and city guests in 2019?

The theme of the carnival in 2016 was dedicated to the exhibition “Feeding the Planet. Energy for life" (“Nutrire il Pianeta. Energia per la Vita”) and sounded “The most delicious holiday in the world!” (“La festa piu’ golosa del mondo”).

Soon you may find yourself in the very center of the fun, surrounded by merry Venetians and city guests.

The city squares will be full of a huge number of costumes and smiles: this is where carnival processions, performances and performances will take place.

The opening ceremony of the Venice Carnival is scheduled for 18:00 February 16, 2019 and will be held in the Cannareggio area, where everyone will also be able to taste Venetian cuisine.

And already February 17 at 11:00 Residents and guests of the city will be able to enjoy a stunning view: a real boat procession will pass along the huge Venetian canal.

February 23 at 14:30 the theater on the square (Piazza di San Marco) will open - the main stage of the entire carnival, where more than one performance will take place. In addition to the established program, Venetians and tourists will be able to participate in numerous creative evenings and competitions.

The Venice Carnival is an unforgettable experience. Don't miss your chance to take part in some light-hearted fun and even some madness!

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February is CARNIVAL time in Italy!

The most vibrant carnivals take place throughout Italy every year in February-March.

Venice! San Remo! Fano! Sicily! Viareggio! Rome! We will organize for you a trip that will be remembered for a lifetime! An individual approach is guaranteed.

VENICE CARNIVAL...

What will this magical spectacle be like, accompanied by pleasant dizziness and burning desire? Exciting, bewitching, unusual, fabulous, bright and sparkling, evoking a feeling of romantic love, passion, unity with Nature! Everything will be mixed up in this mysterious city of love - Venice: theaters, mysterious costumes and masks, festive processions, fireworks, confetti, splashes of spumante, masquerade balls in the halls of magnificent ancient palaces, concerts and performances right on the streets...

More than half a million fans of this enchanting event come to Venice every year.

Carnivals in Italy are so popular that only those who plan their trip in advance can get to them! We will book for you the best hotels, which are always crowded these days, purchase tickets to luxurious palaces for masquerade balls and other exciting events, and set a date for visiting the atelier to select costumes and masks. The excitement begins to be felt six months before the start of the holiday. The Venice Carnival is called the most exciting and grandiose performance. Squares and ancient quarters become its stage, and almost all guests of the city will join the professional actors. During the Carnival period, crowds of tourists fill Venice. Some - to gawk at characters in fantastic outfits and masks, fire-swallowers, extravagant comedians and tireless acrobats. Others - to imbue with the exciting and frivolous spirit of a medieval city in the heyday of its splendor and grandeur, to change their usual life role, even for a few days becoming a powerful nobleman, an insidious seducer or a tragic Pierrot.

Italia Viaggi organizes special carnival tours to Italy for you. You are guaranteed a lot of unforgettable impressions!

We will take care:

• about tickets to theaters, concerts and balls, exhibitions and museums;
• on the rental of carnival costumes, masks and accessories;
• about individual tailoring of carnival costumes in the best ateliers in Venice or other cities;
• about the best photographer;
• We organize training courses in the manufacture and decoration of Venetian masks, any excursions, cultural and entertainment programs and routes in the surrounding area and surrounding regions;
• we organize shopping;
• We will provide any transfer and a Russian-speaking escort;
• We will help you choose hotels and reserve tables in the best restaurants.

Our ateliers in Venice, Varese, Lake Como, Naples, Ascoli Piceno and other cities advise you to order carnival costumes in advance. Here you can rent or buy any outfit, including carnival masks:

If you order a wedding from us at the Venice Carnival, then we We will give you a three-hour photo session!

For especially active tourists we also offer:

• A romantic trip to the sea on a pirate galleon" Jolly Roger"("Jolly Roger"). Cost from 150 Euro.
• Lesson on decorating carnival masks. Duration 2-3 hours. Cost from 230 Euro per person.
• Excursions around the Venetian Riviera del Brenta with visits to private villas and labyrinthine parks. Cost from 110 Euro per person (in a group of up to 25 people)
• Excursions to cities and provinces of the Veneto region:
  • Padua - the city of students is home to one of the oldest universities in the world, the city attracts pilgrims - the relics of St. Antonio are kept here, as well as art lovers - the famous frescoes of Giotto;
  • Treviso is an ancient walled city where you will discover exquisite Italian cuisine and want to taste the best wines;
  • Bassano del Grappa - the city streets will lead you to the old bridge, which offers magnificent views of the Brenta River and the Alpine peaks;
  • Verona is famous for its historical monuments and the tragic legend of the love of Romeo and Juliet;
  • Vicenza is the European capital of gold production with an inimitable architectural appearance - a UNESCO World Heritage Site called the Villas of Andrea Palladio. Numerous festivals, harvest festivals and fairs are held here in autumn and spring.

February - program "TWO CARNIVALS"

You will take part in a fun and colorful Carnival in the cities of Fano and Offida (Marche region).

The town of Fano offers processions, festive events and lots of sweets! You will be taken to the oldest carnival in Italy, where you can pamper yourself and your children with a delicious variety of sweets and see the main symbol of the carnival - a huge doll named Pupo.

An exciting excursion program awaits you in the cities of Fermo, Fano, Ascoli Piceno, Ripatransone, Corinaldo, Offida, dinner in the medieval Castle, a lot of smiles and positive emotions. On days like these, nothing is impossible under the Italian stars!

We promise you another charm of Italy!

Itinerary: RIMINI – FERMO (TORRE DI PALME) – ASCOLI PICENO – CASTLE DI LUCO (Dinner) – Carnival in OFFIDE (“ LU BOV FINT” – Carnival night - RIPATRANSONE (Tasting) – Carnival in FANO - MONDAVIOCORINALDO - Agriturismo (Cooking lesson) - Closing of the carnival in FANO - RIMINI

We form small comfortable groups.

You can find out the cost of an individual tour by calling or writing to us. Contact us!

Don't miss San Remo (Carnival of Flowers), Viareggio, Sardinia and Sicily, the medieval town of Ivrea - here Carnivals offer to see a masquerade, a festive procession, huge life-size puppets, theatrical performances, folklore groups, live music everywhere, illuminations, hot bonfires in the squares, a variety of entertainment for adults and children, as well as try delicious sweets!

Make a choice and visit CARNIVAL in Italy!

Carnival started yesterday, and in some stupid winter hibernation I blew it. I completely forgot. Okay, now for next year. All three or four times I was at the carnival as a spectator, an onlooker. Now I understand that I need to either move on - learn to put on Masks, or at least try on Bauta, immerse myself in this looking glass, or stop freezing in the February wind.

Venice is a very small city and has nowhere to grow - water limits its spread naturally. The city physically cannot accommodate as many people as come there every February. And every year I like the crowds in Venice less and less. There were more drunk people, some small groups of Scots, Britons and Angles appeared - constantly looking for where to drink beer. There are more police.

Even for ordinary spectators like me, the tension of the carnival is difficult to bear. I was never ready to come here two years in a row, into the pandemonium and bustle. But for the Masks, carnival is something of an incurable addiction. There are many people who come to Venice every year, for many years in a row, and for them to miss the carnival is a real drama. They love Venice and themselves in its luxurious scenery so much that they are ready to travel and travel here in February, regardless of the expenses or the time spent preparing costumes.

Being a Mask isn't easy. Masks are very dedicated Carnival enthusiasts. The mask changes character and “grows to the face.” Carnival time is a legitimate way to stop being yourself and reincarnate. “Vaccination against despondency,” as Pyotr Lvovich Weil called this action.

“On carnival days, a counterbalance to the coming asceticism was hastily placed. Carnival was not an ordinary holiday, but a whole life lived in a short time - a parallel life in which everything is the other way around. It’s not a matter of protest, but an alternative: a try of a different version of life with the replacement of a plus "For minus, up for down, good for evil. Jesters become kings, fools become sages: let's see how it turns out. We can say that in ordinary life this happens all the time."

But you can depict ladies and gentlemen of the gallant 17th century (the heyday of the Venetian carnival occurred precisely in this era of royal luxury, and now the organizers of balls and parties ask guests to adhere to its style). Although, of course, it is difficult to wear clothes of the 17th century without looking comical in them - all these crinolines, wigs, hats, lace... Open shoulders and décolleté in February%) There is another side to the matter - you can’t talk in a mask, except What’s especially offensive is that you can’t drink caldo wine or eat carnival fritelli donuts while wearing a mask.

Until the last day, I myself struggled with the temptation to buy myself a felt cocked hat. I overcame it, and now I regret it. I'll probably buy it next time.

Moreover, there are tents at Campo San Stefano during the carnival. Well-known mask and costume workshops here sell cloaks, cocked hats and masks “to-go”, so a simple costume can be made on site.

Traditionally, the carnival dates back to the end of the 10th century, when it lasted for several months full of fun and entertainment. 40 days before Easter, Lent began and Carnival ended. The Austrian occupation in 1798 ended the history of Carnival, at least for the Venetians. It was revived only in 1979 thanks to the initiative of local craft associations, but it lasted only 11 days. The exact dates of Carnival change every year depending on what date Easter falls on.

Last year, Venetians celebrated the start of Carnival with the Festa Veneziana. It is a kind of carnival within a carnival, born out of the desire to give the locals a holiday reminiscent of the old days, a holiday just for their own, which will begin before the masses of tourists flood the city.

The festival includes a costume regatta, fireworks, pyrotechnic show, and refreshments. Many grocery stores bring it right to the banks of the canals. Local restaurants prepare typical Venetian dishes (bacala with polenta, carde in saor, frittele, galani).

For the next 10 days, St. Mark's Square will smell like vanilla and cloves. These are the smells of carnival. In the cafe, waiters in white marshal uniforms will pour hot wine and serve fritelle - small carnival donuts with candied fruits.

The atmosphere of this Carnival is something elusive, no stories in the spirit of “cloak and dagger”, tourists dressed up in stupid plastic masks look like tourists dressed up in stupid masks. Specially staged performances take place in specially designated places. Most often these are photo shoots or paid evenings with balls and dinner.

Who are the Masks? The Masks (Free Masks, as they call themselves) are fanatical carnival enthusiasts. All year long, from February to February, they design and sew costumes. Their whimsical outfit can be assembled from parts purchased at a New Year's tree decoration sale. But most often it is brocade and lace; Venice does not recognize false glitter and plastic.

The Mask's costume must be designed so that not a single fragment of the body is visible: there is a hood on the head that fits tightly to the mask, and gloves on the hands. According to the unspoken charter, the Mask has no right to talk; everything she wants to express must be “said” with a gesture and a costume. The Masks use business cards to communicate with each other and with photographers.

Sometimes Masks call themselves “pandas” - to achieve a special depth of look from under a carnival mask, they make up their eyes black. In general, the face is not his own, and instead of eyes there are mysterious gaps.

In fact, this is the meaning of masquerade - the mask “grows” to the face, replaces it, becomes the second “I”. Free Masks admit that the mask even changes the character of its owner during the carnival. It is not even known who is under the mask and in the carnival costume - a man or a woman. This is part of the game of transformation.

Carnival is a real test for Mask. They get up early in the morning to gather at the pier at San Marco at dawn. Getting up in 5-6 hours, depending on how complicated the suit is and how long it will take to put it on. Some costumes consist of 10 or more parts. Leaving the house along a narrow old staircase is also not an easy task, especially in a fancy dress, in a wide skirt with a crinoline, and if the costume comes with a tall hat, then you have to put it on on the street.

Early in the morning you can walk to the square in a quarter of an hour, or a maximum of half an hour. But after noon, the journey takes an hour and a half: tourists slow down the mask at every step, asking to take photos, and the number of people on the streets increases - there’s no crowding.

In Venice, the majority of Masks are French and German. There are very few Italians, a vanishingly small number of Venetians. The Germans and French then parade their Venetian costumes at home, at local carnivals, where this tradition has been maintained for a long time.

The Masks have competitors - the Venice Costume Association. They have their own dressing rooms right under the podium on San Marco, where the fancy dress fashion show takes place, and the outfits are sewn by professionals.

There is another category of carnival participants, Masks, they are called “Historical Costumes”. These are people who rent costumes from numerous workshops and shops. Among them are rich tourists who come here to portray the ladies and gentlemen of the gallant 17th century (the heyday of the Venetian carnival occurred precisely in this century, and now the organizers of balls and parties ask guests to adhere to the style and image of this era in costumes), and Italians.

“Historical costumes” masks are never worn; they wear makeup or simply wear a half mask. They never wear makeup on their eyes. However, some people’s faces are so expressive that no mask is needed. “Historical Costume” has another problem: open shoulders and neckline for ladies. It's a little cool to walk around like this in February.

But prudent Masks sew their carnival costumes with a margin of 1-2 sizes, so that they can add warm underwear and several sweaters. They say it comes in handy in chilly February.

Historical Costumes and Free Masks do not like each other, or rather, the latter consider the former to be freaks. What does Historical Costume do? The same thing - it shows off, only for a lot of money. He pays the Venetian workshops for the costume itself (preferably with an exact match to the era), and walks around the city in this outfit, attending paid balls and other entertainment. Free Masks construct their own outfits and don’t go to paid masquerades - they arrogantly despise them. They believe that "the carnival should be in you")))

These are all just fun games to my taste. The classic Venetian carnival costume - bauta - was needed to remain unrecognized. White mask, black cloak with black lace frill and cocked hat, that's it.

Bauta is the most famous. Venetian mask, which was worn not only during the carnival, but also on ordinary days. They went on dates in it and dealt with offenders in it. Visits were made there and gambling establishments were visited.

However, today it is very rare to see bautu at the carnival. Firstly, it seems too “simple” and unpretentious to the Musks. Secondly, bauta, by origin, is a mask of death, and many are simply afraid to try on this rather gloomy and infernal image. Under the mask one cannot distinguish either gender, age, or status. But those who wore it say that the mask inexplicably changes its character. By putting it on, you give up your own face, and the bauta becomes your second self.