Venice carnival

Venice carnival

First mention to the Venice’s carnival started in the beginning of the XII century. It celebrates the victory doge Vital Michiel II on patriarch Ulrico in Aquilea in the year 1162. Each year, in memory, Ulrico’s successor had to send to the Venice’s doge a lot of animal, due to his defeat.
This cattle was slaughtered when it arrived, cooked, and distributed to venetians during a big banquet. This Thursday is also called Berlingaccio, meaning insolent and ridiculous, to indicate the meaning of this day to the enemies of Venice. In 1296, senate attributes carnival’s day as holiday.
The oldest reference to the venetian’s mask dates back to 1268. It was well established in 1436 when mask makers or “mascareri” were officially recognized with their own guilt. This white mask named “bauta” has a special form that modifies voices and this way, people can be totally anonymous. The practice of wearing mask was the most important at the end of XVIII century.
Since this moment, everybody from every social class could mingle. The carnival was the occasion to flirt without being recognized. In addition to their mask, venetians have also a hood, a tricorn and a cape.
The angel or dove flight consists in the walk of a Turkish prisoner on a rope from the Bell tower to doge palace, in front of it. If he could arrive alive, freedom was offered to him. Otherwise, if he felt down… well, he was dead. After, this prisoner was substituted by a volunteer symbolizing peace. Then, a mechanic dove replaces this guy.
Finally, the carnival took end in 1797, when Campoformio declaration merges Venice into Austria. Many traditions were forbidden, but parties in palaces continued till 1861, when Italia became an unified country. Since this day, nobody made any reference to this carnival.
We could see the carnival only since 1979. Many associations decided to recreate the lost traditions. Nowadays, this very touristic event join glamour and XVIII century’s traditions.