The Venice Carnival is an annual costume festival that takes place in February, 12 days before the start of Lent. The first documentary mention of the carnival dates back to 1094, but the celebrations of that time were held without the famous masks. Masks, traditionally made of papier-mâché or leather, came into fashion in the 13th-14th centuries, thanks to the whim of the rich and noble Venetians, who wanted to add a touch of mystery to the fun and avoid class prejudices by starting to eat at the same table with slaves.
The Venetian carnivals reached their peak in the 18th century, when the main characters of the holiday were the heroes of the Italian comedy, and the mask of the charming Colombina became the emblem of the carnival. In 1797, after the capture of the Venetian Republic by the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, carnivals were banned, the possibilities for holding them were limited due to political and economic problems, and only in 1979, it was decided to resume the tradition. Since 1162, the celebration begins at
Piazza San Marco with the launch of the decorative dove Colombina from the bell tower. The dove explodes in mid-flight and colorful confetti rains down on the spectators gathered in the square, trying to catch at least one sparkle in order to be rich all year.
Then the Festa delle Marie procession begins, dedicated to the release of the girls kidnapped by pirates - the audience is presented with the seven most beautiful and young residents of the city - the seven Marys. The holiday covers the whole of Venice - people dressed as famous Italian characters fill the streets, concerts and performances take place in the squares, performances by magicians and jugglers, sword swallowers, mimes and acrobats, snake charmers, fireworks, festivities and processions. Any of the 500,000 tourists who come to the carnival can join the street processions and take part in costumed performances. The carnival ends at
Piazza San Marco with a parade of costumes, amazing fireworks over the lagoon, the burning of a straw man, a pagan ritual symbolizing the renewal of nature, and mass dances. And the ringing of the bells of the church of San Francesco della Vigna announces the beginning of Lent.
