Venice, Italy
- Part I: St. Mark’s Square & Basilica
- Part II: Venetian cuisine
- Part III: Murano glass-making
- Part IV: Burano, “The Island of Painted Houses”
- Part V: Carnival Weekend
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Venice and the Carnevale
Last weekend was the opening weekend of Carnevale di Venezia. It is the major annual event that begins a couple months before Easter and lasts until Fat Tuesday–the Tuesday before Lent. Carnevale is most known for its incredible costumes and masks. The original meaning of the masks is that everyone would use the period of the Carnival to “mask” their social classes–so the rich could behave poorer, and vice versa.
Many people compare this celebration to Mardi Gras in the United States, but I felt that Carnevale is much different from that Mardi Gras that I know. The festivities have a greater connection with its history, and the emphasis is more oriented around family and culture rather than a LETS GET TRASHED AND GO CRAZY attitude. It was an awesome experience, full of energy and rich with culture.
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The Flight of the Angel
The opening of Carnevale kicks off with “the flight of the angel” ceremony, in which a [very brave] woman descends from St. Mark’s Campanile.
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Crazy Carnevale Costumes
One of the coolest parts of Carnevale is seeing the amazing costumes that attendees wear. Everyone can buy a mask, but these full costumes are something really special. I tried to catch as many shots as I could!
Well, that concludes my Venice series! Florence life is hopping, so I have lots to catch up on for sharing. Ciao for now 🙂
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What gorgeous costumes! It looks like an opera; except you are in it, part of all the festivities. How very exciting. Love your mask, good job picking it out.
Thanks Nana!