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The Renaissance was the cradle of
the festival. The carnival allowed the venetians
to evade the routine of everyday life by
disguising themselves with extravagant costumes.
Anonymous, the roturiers and the aristocrats were
cut across disregarding their origins and the
splendor of their costumes. The carnivals were
forbidded for a long period. They contributed
to a
sort of moral decadence and the anonymity
was a good excuse for amatory duels – the things
condemned by the church in the name of
morality.... Like in olden times, nowadays the
ceremonies of the carnival follow some
rules. Gradually the atmosphere of the festivities
becomes less official, diverting towards exuberant
high spirits. But what a festival! Venice is
transformed into a great baroque stage where
everybody plays his role.
The carnival lasts
eleven days and this period is the culmination
of the tourist season. The hotels are overcrowded
and
it is recommended to reserve six months in
advance! The majority of visitors are the Italians
from the other cities, the Frenchmen, the
Germans.
Some of the tourists prefer to be just lookers-on,
some like to disguise. But if you really want
to
take an active part in the festivities you should
disguise yourself ! Since the carnival implies
disguisment
and fancy.....
Besides, you may
obtain your costume before arrival if you
do not mind to
rent it on-the-spot at a high price. For 200€ per
person you can afford yourself a real ball in
a
magnificent palace. Though it is a bit expensive,
but the price worth paying for the sake of
travelling throughout the past centuries and to
enjoy the unforgettable time....
The origin of the Carnival of Venice traces back
to the X-th century. It began the 26th December,
and lasted till Mardi Gras, and culminated on
Jeudi Gras. At this period the excesses of all
kinds were allowed, understood and never punished,
but it induced the doges to set the time-limit of
the carnival and to forbid to wear masks during
this period.
If nowadays the masks
give vent to imagination of the venetians, the
creation of the masks was inspired to a great
degree by the classic masks such as bautta for men
and moretta for women. The traditional costume for
men includes a big cape with a hood, a white mask
and a black tricorn. La moretta is a small oval
mask with two eyeholes. The costume  is
accomplished with a veil and a hat. A little bud
in the place of mouth helped to hold the mask: the
person held the button with his lips, it clarifies
the fact why a person in a mask was mute which
certainly made him more enigmatic and mysterious.
However the personages of dia dell' arte should
not be forgotten, for they were the ancestors of
the tradition. Among the most famous are :
Arlecchino, Bernardon, Brighella, Colombine and
the passionate Arlequin, Il Capitano, El Medico de
la Pesta, Pantalone and Pulcinella. Bernardon is
old and losy, covered with buttons and traces of
plague. Brighella is a smart servant. Il Capitano
is a boastful soldier, sometimes grotesque.
Colombine sometimes called Arlecchina, is a shrewd
and cunning servant, but very honest though
coquettish. El médico de la pesta is a doctor
curing the plague. Pantalone ia an old merchant,
rich and ruined. He likes business best of all.
And at last, Pulcinella or Polichinelle is a
double personage. He is a silly, arrogant, vicious,
coward but at the same time courageous, astute.
So, if you are looking for animation –
plunge into the mysterious world of the carnival
of Venice!
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