Since the time of Venice’s days of greatness, the colorful folklore of Carnival (Carnevale) has been a major attraction for tourists and the like. The word carnival is Latin and means farewell to meat/flesh. Because Lent was a period of fasting, the ancient Venetians decided on partying before the religious formalities and an eating binge was part of the mix. It was an excuse for Venetians to get together and eat all the meat, butter, and eggs they wanted during a short period.

During the celebration, which leads up to Ash Wednesday, there are a variety of colorful organized events. The festivities close out in the wee hours of Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday / Martedì Grasso).  At the stroke of midnight, cleanup time replaces the festive events in which anyone who could afford a mask could join in with the revelers. At Carnevale ending, the masks, exquisite costumes, and elegant balls become history until next year.

The Venice Carnevale tradition began in the late twelfth century. The Venetian Republic was engaged in a major battle, and when victory was achieved, the patriarch celebrated on a date close to the time of Shrove Tuesday. The celebration in the Piazza San Marco was commemorated with the slaughtering of a bull and twelve pigs. The celebration continued each year, and the use of masks became part of the festivities at the tail end of the thirteenth century.

The masks proved as a means to temporarily overturn the social order in Venice. Not knowing who was behind the mask meant one did not know the social status of that reveler.  Many of the masks depicted Commedia dell’ Arte (theater) characters. However, the Doges became concerned about the masks fearing crime sprees and passed laws that limited their use to only during Carnevale. If masks were worn at other times of the year, the penalties were severe. The masks developed into a major industry in Venice and mask shops now do business year-round. Carnevale time in Venice, and elsewhere in Italy, is a joyous time of feasts, fancy parties, formal balls, elegant costumes, and costumed boat parades.

The Carnevale dates often vary. There is the Bacanal del Gnoco in Verona with its traditional masked procession of both international and local allegorical floats.  Masked balls are held in the town’s squares.  In Viareggio (Tuscany), the Carnevale is nationally famous for its lively floats, often inspired by tropical themes.

Carnevale is an explosion of good times decked out in a cast of elegant characters all throughout Italy.  Everyone surrenders to the allure of the celebration. There are also major Carnevale celebrations throughout Europe and Latin America including Nice, France; Cologne, Germany; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and of course, the Mardi Gras of New Orleans.