The history of the Venice Carnival. Carnival in Venice: history, traditions, fun. Waiting for a new miracle
Venice Carnival: history, traditions, masks.“Mask, mask, I know you...” It turns out that the carnival was invented in Venice. And it couldn't be otherwise. Such a democratic holiday, when everyone wears masks and everyone is equal, could only be born in the democratic Republic of St. Mark, where there were never vassal relations between citizens.
“They do not look down on each other for anything and no one has any fear from anyone: everyone does what they want according to their own will. That freedom always exists in Venice, and the Venetians always live in complete 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 declared the last day before Lent a holiday. It is believed that the word “carnival” itself comes from the Latin “carnevale”, which means “farewell to meat”. This is the canonical church version. The common Venetians thought differently. They translated “carnival” as follows: carrus navelis - “amusing chariot, ship of festive processions” and liked to coincide with Festa della Marie - an ancient 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 for them a luxury cruise.
But, in fact, the origins of the Venetian carnival go deeper - to the ancient Roman Saturnalia - annual holidays in honor of the god Saturn, which were celebrated in December after the harvest during the winter solstice and were accompanied by mass festivities. The slaves were seated at a common table, and to smooth out the awkwardness of the unusual situation, everyone put on masks.
Strictly speaking, carnival was born from masquerade. At some point, the Venetians got so carried away that they began to “party” in fun from the beginning of October to February inclusive, with light breaks for fasting.And the mask “grew” so firmly to the face that it became simply part of the equipment.
P. Longo. In a gambling house.
“While the carnival lasts, everyone wears masks, from the Doge to the last maid. In a mask they carry out their business, defend 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 patronage. You can enter everywhere disguised: into a salon, into an office, into a monastery, into a ball, into a palace, into a casino. There are 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 gathering, no noble lady, no inquisitor, no buffoon, no poor man, no foreigner.”
P. Longo. In a gambling house.
P. Longo. At the dentist's.
P. Longo. Hippopotamus.
A strange, mystical city that looked like a magnificent scenery 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 transform myself and do with laughter what 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 unsteady, like water in the Grand Canal, moral boundaries were completely blurred during carnival days. Masked men penetrated nunneries, debtors hid from creditors, and “bravo” hired killers carried out their dirty deeds without hindrance.
“And so they always have fun in Venice and never want to be without fun, in which they sin a lot.”
In the end, the Council of Ten could not stand it and said: "That's it!"In 1608 there wasa decree was issuedwhich prohibited the wearing of masks for an extended period. From this point on, masks were only allowed to be used during carnival or at official banquets. For violating the law, men were sentenced to two years in prison and a large fine, and women were publicly flogged in St. Mark's 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 performed puppet comedies, traveling astrologers predicted the future, acrobats twirled, ventriloquists spoke in sepulchral voices, patricians, divided into two teams, played a game reminiscent of modern football - they tried to throw a leather ball to the enemy’s side. Between the windows of the palaces, ropes were stretched along which the tightrope walkers walked. One of the prisoners was released onto the same rope: if he reaches the end, he is free, but if not, a cheerful death awaits him “in peace.”
The ladies-spectators hung in delightful, picturesque “clusters” from the balconies. “The female sex and girls of all ranks are dressed in a very special fashion of Venetian attire and are covered with black taffeta from the top of the head even to the waist, and many others are dressed in French. In women’s clothing, they use more colorful grass brocades, and the female people in Venice are very handsome and slender and political, tall, thin and decent in everything, but they are not keen on handicrafts, they live more in the cool weather.”
There was no time to waste, we had to enjoy every moment. Dates were set up, in the famous gambling houses - Ridotto - they played for big money, quarrels broke out between rivals, the eyes of beautiful red-haired Venetian women twinkled mysteriously in the slits of their masks. The happy couples set sail in pointed gondolas. The songs of gondoliers sounded over numerous canals.
The air was filled with fog, excitement, love, jealousy...
And all around were masks, masks, masks... They circled in an endless sparkling round dance.
However, the favorite mask of the Venetians - the buata - is just not modest in the Venetian way. There are only two colors here - black and white. For the white “mask” - a black cloak. This mask was adored by everyone - patricians and commoners, 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 butter, 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, cod dish, and, of course, roast duck - after all, Lent is coming soon.
And the strange name “bauta” is a fictional monster, akin to our “buka” 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" - is a simple mask somewhat similar to a bauta.
The Cat was singled out among the animals, apparently in recognition of the special merits of the Venetian cats, who have to live in a city literally “barely sticking out” from 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 walked around the deserted city visiting patients. To avoid contracting a terrible disease, they wore a mask. Various aromatic oils and other substances were placed in her long beak-shaped nose - it was believed that they protected against infection with the plague. Over his clothes, the doctor put on a dark long cloak made of linen or waxed material, and took a special stick in his hand - so as not to touch the plague-stricken 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 either.
Moretta - "dark-skinned" - is the most romantic carnival mask made of black velvet or satin.
Casanova adored her. The dark-skinned Mauritanian beauty has always been mysteriously, exquisitely silent. Either for this reason, or for some other reason, this mask had another name - “The Delight of Husbands.” The secret was that this mask was held on the face with the help of a pin attached to the inside, which must be held in the teeth.
But still, only Columbina could compete with the beauty of the Venetian Lady. It is the owner of this mask who is allowed to part her seductive lips for admiring glances.
But Columbine is a different song, a different story, a different century. 18th... Del arte - comedy of masks, literary and stage genre. There is a company here.
Pantalone is a Venetian merchant, an old man, stingy, calculating, but always fooled.
The doctor is a lawyer from Bologna, an imaginary scientist, a talker and a pedant.
Brighella is an intelligent servant, dexterous, resourceful, a former peasant, always against the old people who prevent the young from living, loving and being happy.
Harlequin is a stupid servant, he 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.
Columbine is a servant, a cheerful and enterprising girl, participating in all the intrigues and twists and turns of the plot.
With the help of these masks, magnificent performances were performed, largely based 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
Another famous Venetian, Carlo Goldoni, also paid tribute to this genre.
AND this whole company - Harlequin, Pantalone, Brighella, Doctor - rightfully joined the carnival round dance, and Columbina became a symbol of the Venetian holiday.
The Doge's capital dresses
All the star sparkles for the ball,
Seething, laughing and chatting,
A colorful carnival sparkles.
Here is Harlequin under a black mask,
How the heat burns his rags,
Cassandra with a perky note
He beats, his laughing stock.
All white, like a bigmouth
Penguin over the northern rock,
Pierrot in the gap of a round note
Shakes his head.
Bolognese doctor discusses
There is a question in the bass that everyone understands,
Polichinelle bends down angrily
The long nose mocks the musical notes.
Pushing Trivelin away,
Blowing his nose with a pipe,
At Scaramouche's Columbine
He takes his fan with a smile.
The cadence sounds, and soon, soon
There's a domino going through the crowd
But in the slit of the sly gaze
It is not possible to cover the eyelashes.
O thin beard of lace,
That a sigh sways, lighter than a dream,
Having immediately discovered the secret,
Sings arpeggio: - she!
And I learned by loving hearing
Under a terrible mask, a lip,
Like a plum with golden fluff,
And a black spot on his forehead.
T. Gauthier. Translation by N. Gumilyov.
But everything comes to an end someday. Carnival died when the Venetian Republic 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 cannot step into the same river twice. Traditions are carefully observed. The carnival begins with Festa della Marie, an Angel “flies” from the campanella - the 100-meter bell tower of St. Mark’s Cathedral, scattering confetti around him, the same carnival masks roam the streets...
Everything is true, but, as eyewitnesses say, the very spirit of the carnival has disappeared. Now it is more of a magnificent spectacle for tourists than a way of life for the Venetians themselves.
But Venice is an unpredictable city, miracles sometimes 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 affairs and artistic adventures.
Materials from Wikipedia and other Internet sites were used.
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.
Want to take a look at the famous landmark of Venice - the Rialto Bridge? detailed information about this building.
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:
- Since the carnival is an almost anonymous event, during the celebration it is prohibited to make acquaintances, call real names, communicate and exchange contact information. All this can be done only after the holiday is over, when all masks are removed.
- If you want to get to Venice during Carnival, book your hotels in advance.
- If you are not embarrassed by the financial issue, you can take part in closed parties and balls (they are held in palaces in Piazza San Marco). Conditions: a chic costume for a party and 400 euros for entry.
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What is the Venice Carnival? This is a time of unbridled fun, celebration and joy. The city is filled with an extravaganza of goodness, luxury and magic. From the window you can see elegant beauties twirling to the rhythm of the melody. Gallant gentlemen walk through the streets with an important gait. Every resident of the city knows about the celebration and wants to take part in it. Unusual costumes create the appropriate atmosphere. Every street becomes mystical, and residents are waiting for a miracle.
Italians and guests of this magnificent country can try on costumes and feel like they are in a new look. The presence of masks allows you to unite all participants into one whole. Only at this historical event can you feel like a luxurious lady or a gallant gentleman.
Preparations have already begun for the celebration, which will take place in 2018. The time of the carnival is already known. It will last from January 27 to February 13.
Grand opening Venetian carnival 2017 of the year will take place on January 27 and 28.
You can not only have fun, but also please your home with a colorful purchase. This holiday will also be dedicated to various delicacies. At the carnival you can taste the taste of traditional dishes and drinks. They will be present in every corner of the city throughout the celebration.
All information and program on the official website of the carnival - http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/programma-eventi/.
Flight of an Angel at the Venice Carnival
The carnival party is accessible not only to residents of Italy. Venice friendlyly opens its gates to every guest from all countries.
Hurry up and try on the mask!
The carnival party brings together people from every class. This holiday is considered to be a time of freedom and unity. In such a wonderful, unearthly moment, you can forget about all your troubles, have a lot of fun and try yourself in a new image.
All the people of the city take part in the carnival, only some of them entertain the guests, and the rest are spectators. The Venice Carnival has gained incredible popularity.
Every year many tourists gather in Italy to enjoy this atmosphere. Unfortunately, all the mystery, mystery and luxury have disappeared from the current celebrations. Now, this holiday can be compared to a modern celebration. But still, something remains.
As before, you can see a theatrical procession on the streets of the city. But even in it every year there are fewer and fewer unusual masks. Guests of the city sparkle with camera flashes, hoping to remember all the best moments of the carnival in their memory.
Venice is a friendly city. He always happily welcomes tourists from all countries. But, as a rule, guests of Italy give more preference to the observer's side. Few people can afford to put on a costume and join the atmosphere of the Venetian carnival.
But every tourist must wear a mask and be a participant in the procession. Only in this way can one truly feel the taste of freedom. Having plunged into triumph, at least for a few minutes, at that very moment all problems, hardships and troubles will be forgotten.
An atmosphere of happiness will reign in your soul. Only here does one have the chance to experience historical times for themselves. Every person will be waiting for something unusual. The presence of masks allows us to make the whole people one. In a moment you can forget about who belongs to what class. In the carnival, everyone is absolutely equal!
It is for this reason that while at the carnival you need to try on an unusual mask. But, unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to this holiday. To create your own carnival image, you need to spend a lot. Each traditional outfit is of high quality and is usually made to order.
Many suits are decorated with luxurious fabrics such as velvet or fur. But it is worth approaching the problem of financial costs from the other side. The carnival takes place only once a year. Perhaps a tourist will get such a chance once in his life.
But this event will be remembered for a long time! Yes, and the costume itself will long remind you of the most joyful event. At the carnival, a person’s worldview and the entire surrounding atmosphere change. Only here you can feel yourself in luxury.
The role of a mask is to give a person maximum freedom. You can hide your face behind it and try to see a stranger passing by.
Before you come to the carnival, there are a few rules to learn.
- Under no circumstances should you meet people, communicate, or even convey any gestures. If you like a stranger, then you should smile politely and give him your business card.
- Carnival is not only a big procession. It also includes a lot of entertainment. Wearing a mask, you can visit cafes and restaurants, drink a glass of delicious wine or taste traditional donuts.
- Upon arrival in Italy, you can contact the designer with a request to create a suit. In this case, the image must be selected down to every detail. It is necessary to have appropriate hair and makeup. It’s not scary that the suit may be expensive, but it will be the most favorite clothes in your wardrobe. In it you can change your grace, demeanor and communication style. The new look will make you feel like a hero of a new life.
Even a small child knows that all good things tend to end quickly. This also applies to carnival celebrations. The end of the party is accompanied by gorgeous fireworks. Multi-colored rain appears in the sky. You can see tears in the eyes of many participants. After the noise of the fireworks has passed, each person takes off his mask and shows his true face to the world.
The city becomes quiet, nothing reminds of the past holiday and there is an atmosphere of anticipation for a new carnival.
A little history about the Venice Carnival
The magical holiday spans several countries. The onset of Lent is accompanied by noisy carnival parties in France, Rio de Janeiro and Switzerland. Everyone can join in the atmosphere of celebration.
But despite its prevalence in all countries, no event can compare with the Venice Carnival. The festive event spans ten days. During this time, every corner of the city is filled with colorful performances.
It's hard to believe that colorful parties have existed for several centuries. It is generally accepted that the predecessor of this holiday was dedication to the god Saturn. The people of Rome organized events to celebrate fertility and harvests. This time united all classes of the people. Slaves and their masters could dine at the same table.
Any important event of the pagans could not do without sacrifice. This also applies to Venice. Here, several centuries ago, there was a barbaric custom. At the time for which the celebration was planned, a dummy king was chosen.
After the holidays were over, he was to commit suicide, stabbed to death or burned. Such fun existed in the times of the pagans.
But, after the Christian faith appeared, such events became irrational and disappeared. A new idea has appeared. A series of carnivals began to take place in Italy, uniting all classes of the people.
History has not preserved the exact date of the beginning of such events. But, approximately, this happened in the 11th century. Gradually the Venetian carnivals developed. The peak of popularity of this celebration was in the 18th century. Every person loved this holiday and plunged into the heady atmosphere.
Moments of permissiveness, passion and romance followed, which people could not help but like. Even the most modest person at this time could afford to turn into a riotous lady.
People hid their faces behind unusual masks, in which they could not only walk, but also do their usual things. But, despite the busyness, there was an atmosphere of freedom.
In the 18th century, the famous Italian comedy appeared on screens, in which carnival columns became participants in some scenes. This became a significant event for the whole world.
After it, a tradition arose of launching a paper emblem, symbolizing the beginning of carnival history. It was launched into the air, after which it exploded and small particles appeared in the air.
But, after the revolution, Venetian carnivals raised doubts among the authorities and were completely banned in the 19th century and resumed again 50 years later. With the consent of the Pope, people again saw a paper dove circling in the sky.
Celebration, fun and joy appeared on the streets. Today, this event is official and is accompanied by a thematic anthem written in 1996. Now carnivals are held annually.
Procession of Mary - a tribute to beauty and courage
The Venice Carnival has a romantic beginning. An angel descends from the bell tower, from a height of one hundred meters. This is an incredibly bright and significant celebration.
Multi-colored snow blows over the city. No one will want to stay at home at this moment, because every street is filled with live music, loud laughter and the sounds of a carnival column.
The Day of Beauty and Courage was celebrated back in 943. And on February 2 they began to celebrate the Day of the Presentation of Mary. Many couples wanted to legalize their marriage on this significant date.
In front of the Church of St. Nicholas there was a canal of virgins, along which twelve brides solemnly floated in wedding processions. They were on their way to meet their life partners.
This holiday would have been considered happy if it had not been for the attack of pirates who stole the girls. But the story ended heroically. Venetian men fought the pirates and freed their beauties.
This story is known to every person in the country. Now, the most famous rich people are ready to pay for the wedding of all the girls named Maria who are getting married on this very day.
Perhaps because of this event the name is popular. Many reports say that beauties walked down the aisle only with influential people.
On this day, beauty contests are held annually, also symbolizing the event. One girl from twelve cities participated. Every beauty had to undergo service in all churches.
The girls wore luxurious outfits and received the most expensive jewelry as gifts. Such a beautiful tradition gradually became costly. The government, to save money, decided to reduce the number of beauties to three.
However, this was also unprofitable, and wooden dolls were installed to replace them. Such a defiant act caused a lot of negative emotions among city residents. Currently, the tradition is of a folk nature. Many different legends have appeared. As a rule, it is not known how true each of them is.
The holiday begins with a theatrical procession. Twelve beauties in carnival costumes move from St. Peter's Church to St. Mark's Square, where the Doge's Palace is located, and then a vote is taken. The young lady who is recognized as the most beautiful is awarded a well-deserved prize.
Venice is an extraordinarily beautiful city. To this day, carnivals are held here every year. For example, people remember 2013 for the celebration called “Live in Color.”
It was a themed celebration of two elements – fire and water. Even nature seemed to be preparing for the carnival. Before the opening of the carnival, there was heavy rain and the residents took this as nature’s approval for the celebration. On the opening day of the carnival, according to tradition, an angel descended, but last year he was accompanied by a lion and an eagle.
Every person could find a hobby to their liking: the city hosted circus performances, exhibitions of talented artists, various parties, etc.
The next year, 2014, was also dedicated to nature. Its theme was the amazing relationship between living things - man and nature. Each country has its own concepts of beauty.
In Venice, they expressed their admiration for the lush forest, sunny valley, mysterious sea and mountains. Great importance was given not only to nature, but also to all the creatures that inhabit it. People tried to look special.
The atmosphere of Eastern and Western fairy tales lurked around. Women and men wore unusual masks, reminiscent of the inhabitants of Asia, Africa and America.
Residents of Venice attach special importance to the carnival party. For a long time before it, they think through their image to the smallest detail, sew clothes and prepare masks.
One of the most famous holidays in the world, the Venice Carnival, was born in ancient times. The word "carnival" means "carnis laxatio" or "carnasciale" - refusal of meat, religious Fasting before Easter. In 1296, when the Senate of the Venetian Republic declared the last day before Lent a holiday, the carnival became a public holiday.
During its existence, the carnival changed the rules, changed, lost something, gained something: in ancient times, on the opening day of the carnival in the central square of San Marco, a prisoner was allowed to walk along a rope fixed between the Bell Tower and the neighboring palace, who sprinkled petals on top roses If he reached the end, it was a good year; if he fell, it was a bad year. Over time, the prisoner was replaced by an acrobat, and then by an artificial wooden dove, from which flowers fell onto the square (in 2001, the townspeople decided to resume the lost tradition, so at the carnival festival, instead of an artificial dove, an acrobat dressed in an Angel costume walked along a tightrope).
During the carnival, many Venetians everywhere wore small masks - bautta, hiding their real name under it, in order to commit all sorts of pranks. Since the holidays began on the first Sunday in October, continued until Epiphany, and reached their peak in the last days before Lent, in August 1608 the “Council of Ten” issued a decree that stated the inappropriateness of wearing a mask for a long period. According to the laws of the Venetian Republic, such masks were prohibited when entering a church, at night, and during plague epidemics. But they were widely used in various hot spots - gaming and brothels. With the fall of the Venetian Republic, the time for carnival celebrations was sharply reduced. From this point on, masks could only be used during Carnival or at official banquets. For violating the law, men were sentenced to two years in prison and a fine, and women were publicly flogged in San Marco Square, followed by expulsion from the territory of the Venetian Republic for four years. They also paid a fine. Over time, strict restrictions lost their power, and the carnival turned into a fun and colorful holiday.
In the 17th century, a bullfight was held in the central square. The game of football was also popular among the nobility. During the carnival, rich Venetian nobles held masquerade balls in their luxurious palaces; ordinary people had fun in the streets and squares, where acrobats, jugglers, and trained predators performed.
The Venetian Carnival, in the form in which we know it, took shape in the 18th century, this is the period of its greatest prosperity: dancing in the squares, luxurious carnival costumes embroidered with gold and decorated with precious stones, which become examples of haute couture. In the 19th century, the carnival was hardly celebrated and was revived in the second half of the 20th century.
These days, the carnival is celebrated for about two weeks. Throughout the year in Venice you can buy carnival masks and costumes, and when the long-awaited holiday arrives, hundreds and thousands of Harlequins, Pierrots, Pantalones, and Pulcinellas take to the streets. “Historical” concerts and fireworks displays are held in city squares. Theaters stage performances based on the carnival theme. In the ancient palaces of the city, masquerade balls are held for the elite public.
Venice Carnival has its roots in the distant pagan past. The word “carnival” itself comes from the Latin carrus navalis (which means “amusing chariot”, “ship of festive processions”) - this was the name of the ritual cart-ship in ancient times, on which idols were transported in Europe back in the distant Bronze Age during holidays fertility.
Others argue that the word “carnival” means “carnis laxatio” or “carnasciale” (translated as “farewell meat!”) - a refusal of meat, a religious fast before Easter. In a desire to adapt pre-Christian customs to the new faith, the church used the ancient holiday to prepare Christians for the longest fast of the year - Lent before Easter. In 1296, the Senate of the Venetian Republic declared the last day before Lent to be a permanent holiday.It is worth noting that the ancient Roman Saturnalia became the ancestor of modern carnivals. On days dedicated to the god of harvest and fertility, Saturn, the Romans held feasts to resurrect a golden age of universal equality and prosperity. The gap between master and slave disappeared during the holiday - slaves drank at the same table with nobles, and free citizens brought them wine. We believe that this is where they originate Venetian carnival masks: so that secular prejudices did not interfere with the fun, everyone hid their faces under masks. The mask and carnival costume hid the owner’s true appearance, allowing him to do whatever he wanted, regardless of titles and ranks, and most importantly, not think at all about the consequences. During the days of revelry, a false king was elected, who at the end of the Saturnalia either had to commit suicide or die from a knife, fire or noose. (hard morals)
Venice carnivals gradually spread throughout the globe. The main attributes of any carnival were costumes and masks, designed to hide social differences and equalize everyone during the celebration. At home Venetian masks They gained such popularity that they began to be worn constantly. It is worth noting that almost all townspeople would prefer to hide their faces even without any carnival. Venice is a relatively small city, and your neighbors don’t need to know where you went in the evening or which house you crawled out of in the morning. There were cases when people hid under Venetian masks to commit criminal acts. This state of affairs forced the church to limit the use of Venetian masks. This led to the fact that in 1608 a law was passed in Venice, which stated that men for wearing Venetian masks on an ordinary day were sentenced to two years in prison and a fine, and women were publicly flogged in the square with rods.
When asked exactly when the first Venetian carnival took place, there are also many versions. The earliest version dates back to the 11th century. In 1094, under a treaty with Byzantium, the Venetian Republic received houses in Constantinople and additional taxation privileges, which gave it enormous advantages for Mediterranean trade. The celebration of this event may have been the first Venetian carnival. According to another version, first Venice carnival was held back in 998, when the young residents of Venice returned their brides, kidnapped by pirates. 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 feasting and fun. One thing is certain: already in the 13th century, the last day before the start of Lent was declared a day of celebrations and public festivities. Two centuries later, a fund was created in Venice to raise funds for annual Venice carnival, which by that time had become an integral part of the life of Venice. The whole city flocked to the holiday St. Mark's Square take part in the general Sabantuy and watch the performance.
First, fighting dogs fought with bulls, and then acrobats, jesters and dancers ran out onto the blood-stained square, and a magnificent fireworks display ended the performance. Over time Venetian masks, which initially copied the pagan gods of fertility, began to change, reflecting the most important events in the lives of the townspeople, and during the Venetian carnivals the most famous achievements of the Venetians were celebrated. Thus, 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 lush turban or bright wide trousers are sure to flash among the carnival crowd at San Marco. In the 18th century, the main characters Venice carnival became the heroes of the Italian comedy Del Arte: hundreds and thousands of Harlequins, Pierrots, Pantalones appeared on the streets, and the lovely Columbine became the face, or rather the mask, of the carnival. At the same time, a tradition arose and has survived to this day on the first day of the carnival to lower a mechanical dove, Columbina, from the bell tower over St. Mark's Square, from which confetti falls. True, initially a girl flew over the square, until one day this mesmerizing flight ended in tragedy. A shower of confetti marks the official start of the carnival. Immediately after this comes a time of unbridled fun.
The 18th century was the era of the greatest prosperity in the history of the Venetian carnival in history. The uncontrollable spirit of flirtation and betrayal, the feeling of complete freedom and the expectation of exciting adventures attracted the aristocracy from all over Europe to this masquerade. The fame and popularity of the carnival were so high that even high-ranking people did not consider it shameful to take part in the boundless fun incognito. During the days of the carnival, everything was subject to the Venetian mask. Wearing masks not only had fun, but also went to services and shopping, to theaters and on dates. The mask abolished all norms of behavior, and on carnival days and nights, when the Catholic Church shyly averted its gaze from the Venetian streets, it was considered bad form not to commit a fall under its cover. Even nunneries were turned into dance halls in those days and filled with masked men. Judging by historical notes, the Venetian nuns of those times curled their hair, wore low-cut dresses that did not cover their slender legs, and covered their breasts only when they sang in the church choir. Almost everyone had a lover with whom she secretly met. And if such were the morals of the nuns, then one can imagine what the rest of the carnival participants got up to during the festivities. Choking with unbridled fun, the Venetians tried to gain happiness and love, generously throwing away the remnants of material well-being created over the past centuries.
It’s a fact that after prosperity there is always a decline. And even the Venetian carnival could not avoid this bitter fate. In 1797, French troops occupied Italy, and Venetian carnivals were banned by Napoleon's decree. 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, its revival began with 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 had been idle almost the entire winter. And then in the late 70s the idea arose revive the legendary carnival. In 1980, a dove fluttered again in the sky over St. Mark's Square.
Since then, every year at the very end of winter, Venice is again filled with a wave of visitors, who become several times more numerous than the Venetians themselves. Cheerful and reckless carnival spirit, who had languished in oblivion for almost two centuries, once free, he quickly regained his lost glory.
The carnival lasts ten days and opens with the medieval festival Festa delle Marie, dedicated to the liberation of the beautiful Venetian women. The procession passes from the Palace of San Pietro to St. Mark's Square, where the seven most beautiful and youngest residents of the city - the seven Marias - appear before the audience. 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 confident that this sport was born in their city, and during the holiday they organize a real reconstruction of medieval football. The carnival ends with the burning of the effigy and general dancing in St. Mark's Square. The next day the city falls asleep, only to explode again a year later for ten days with a fountain of fun and swirl its guests in the stormy flow of the carnival.
Today, carnival is a purely “tourist” phenomenon that has lost its former significance for the spiritual life of the Italian people. It is believed that the city is slowly dying, gradually plunging into the waters of the Adriatic. Therefore, the fun that reigns every year at the Venetian carnivals looks almost like a feast during the plague. But on the other hand, this colorful, intoxicating spectacle can also be seen as a sign that Venice is still alive and follows its age-old traditions. During the Venetian carnivals, Venice resembles the former great city: thousands of eager connoisseurs of this vibrant event come here from all over the globe. The city dresses in festive attire, disguising its antiquity. And I would like to hope that Venice Carnival will regain its former glory.
For several days, classical music is played in all the squares of the city, all kinds of entertainment programs are organized, ancient fun with dolls on strings, performances by artists, singers, and musicians. And this whole celebration will end with the burning of the “old woman-winter”, a symbol of the renewal of Mother Nature. And the final chord of this riot of fun and colors, according to tradition, will be the ringing of the bells of the Church of San Francesco della Vigna, which announce the beginning of Lent. You must see this at least once in your life; you cannot miss this action. So, today we invite you to look at the Venice Carnival, the most beautiful costumes and masks, photos.
Venice Carnival photo
Venice Carnival
Venice Carnival photo
Venice Carnival
