"Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things."

Flora Lewis

Tuesday, 25 February 2014 17:51

Carnival of Venice

prepared by 2nd year student, Anastasia Brynyuk

carnival  (n) - a public event at which people play music, wear special clothes, and dance in the streets

The tradition of carnival dates back over 900 years. It is said that the Carnival of Venice was started from a victory of the "Serenissima Repubblica" against the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven in the year 1162. In the honor of this victory, the people started to dance and make reunions in San Marco Square. Apparently, this festival started on that period and became official in the Renaissance. In the seventeenth century, the baroque carnival was a way to save the prestigious image of Venice in the world. It was very famous during the eighteenth century. It encouraged licence and pleasure, but it was also used to protect Venetians against the anguish for present time and future. However, under the rule of the King of Austria, the festival was outlawed entirely in 1797 and the use of masks became strictly forbidden. It reappeared gradually in the nineteenth century, but only for short periods and above all for private feasts, where it became an occasion for artistic creations.

 

After a long absence, the Carnival returned to operate in 1979. The Italian government decided to bring back the history and culture of Venice, and sought to use the traditional Carnival as the centerpiece of its efforts.

Masks have always been a main feature of the Venetian carnival. Traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano(St. Stephen's Day, December 26) and the start of the carnival season at midnight of Shrove Tuesday. As masks were also allowed on Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large portion of the year in disguise. Maskmakers (mascherari) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild.

Venetian masks can be made of leather, porcelain or with the original glass technique. The original masks were rather simple in design, decoration, and often had a symbolic and practical function. Nowadays, most of them are made with the application of gesso (гіпс) and gold leaf and are all hand-painted using natural feathers and gems to decorate.

In Italy, it is celebrated in different ways varying from city to city. The most popular is the Carnival of Venice which is famous for masks. Venetian masks were wore first in the 15th century to remove social and sexual differences. During the carnival, Venice comes alive with masked Venetians and tourists. Everybody was free to do things desired all year without any guilt thanks to the masks.Bands,jugglers and entertainers are everywhere and the canals are full of colorful boats. The nights are also full of parties and masked balls.It gives you a feeling as if fairy tales are coming alive!

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