Venetian Festivals

  © Eric Tavet - FOTOLIA

Carnival

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. Image published under 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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