Venetian Festivals
© Eric Tavet - FOTOLIA
In the days of the
Republic, the traditional Venetian festivals fostered a common sense of
civic identity and provided a much needed diversion from the monotony of
everyday life.
Napoleon Bonaparte, who conquered Venice in 1797, abolished the carnival
because he wished to undermine Venetian civic identity.
The carnival, which was revived in 1980, is held in February immediately
before Lent. This was the time when surplus stocks of food and drink
were consumed prior to the Lent fast. The word “carnival” is derived
from the Italian word “carne” meaning meat.
The carnival commenced with the ritual slaughter of a bull and twelve
pigs in the Piazza San Marco. The normal social conventions were relaxed
during the following ten days.
Carnival masks were originally worn by revellers who were embarrassed by
their own behaviour.
© Jean-jacques Cordier - FOTOLIA
The
modern carnival is often described as “contrived” and “artificial”. The
reveller's antics and the numerous stalls selling masks and costumes
irritate some people.
However, the city hosts a full programme of events which caters for most
tastes.
Marriage with
the Sea
Departure of the Bucintoro to the Lido for the "Marriage of Venice" (1793) Picture by Francesco Guardi, Louvre
The “Marriage of Venice
with the Sea” which celebrates the city's maritime identity takes place
on the first Sunday after Ascension.
In the days of the republic the Bucintoro, the doge's ceremonial barge,
sailed from the Piazza San Marco to the Lido accompanied by a fleet of
other vessels. A ritual was then performed during which the Doge cast a
gold wedding ring into the sea.
This ceremony is still performed today. However, it is now a far more
modest affair. The ring is cast into the sea by the mayor who is usually
accompanied by the Patriarch of Venice.
Festival of
Dance
The Festival of Dance is held In July. Several theatres present
choreographic displays.
Some of the shows are truly spectacular, but others are intended for a
specialist audience.
Some care is therefore required when booking tickets. The popular events
are sold out well in advance.
Venice Film
Festival
The Venice International film Festival is held on the Lido in late
August/ early September.
It is a film industry event during which new releases are shown to
journalists and industry professionals at private venues.
There is little for ordinary people to see. Movie fans are sometimes
permitted to line a red carpet and cheer celebrities as they arrive at a
venue.
There is no apparent reason why Venice should host the world's oldest
film festival. The city has never possessed a film industry of its own
and its cinemas show the usual diet of dubbed American imports.
Biennale
The Biennale, the city’s Art Festival, is held every odd year from June
to September in the Giardini.
Although some of the more recent exhibitions have been critically
acclaimed, the quality is often patchy since much of the art is
state-sponsored.
The exhibition has also been criticised as being too
establishment-orientated. It used to be difficult for younger artists to
display their work. However, new talented artists may now exhibit at the
"aperto" held in the Arsenale.
Festa Del Redentore
Festa del Redentore, picture by Mr. Roger Howard Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 License
The Festa del Rendentore
is held on the third weekend in July. It is a ritual thanksgiving for
the city's deliverance from the plague of 1576 which claimed 50,000
victims, including the artist Titian.
During the festival a temporary pontoon serves as a causeway from the
Zattere to the impressive Palladian Church of the Holy Redeemer on the
island of Giudecca.
A spectacular firework display is held on the Saturday night and a grand
procession crosses the pontoon on the following Sunday morning.
Festa della
Madonna della Salute
The Festa della Madonna della Salute is another ritual thanskgiving for
the city's deliverance from a plague. It is held on 21st November.
The plague in question occurred in 1630 and wiped out one third of the
city's population.
A temporary pontoon bridge is constructed, this time across the Grand
Canal, so that a grand procession of city officials and religious
leaders may cross from the Piazza San Marco to a thanksgiving service
held at the Santa Maria della Salute, the domed basilica by the entrance
to the Grand Canal.
Regata Storica
The Historical Regata © Piotr Tomczyk - FOTOLIA
The Regata Storica is held
on the first Sunday in September. It provides an opportunity for
Venetian gondoliers to demonstrate the speed and elegance of their
vessels.
The event cumulates in a magnificent ceremonial procession along the
Grand Canal.
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