Carnival of Venice: history
The origins
Carnival's roots delve into many traditions, from the Latin Saturnalia celebrations to the Greek Dionysos cults, which marked the transition from winter to spring and which used to resort to masks and other symbolical representations.
It was a period when all was apparently permitted, and it seemed to represent the myth of a topsy-turvy world.
In reality Carnival was also a form of rigid control over human pulsions, and the thrust towards excesses constituted a gracious concession for a given duration of time.
And in Venice, which was a society governed rigidly by a chosen few, it was necessary to give the lower classes an illusion of becoming like the powerful, even though with a masked countenance: social tensions were thus watered down, and consensus maintained.
A long calendar
Carnival was particularly long. It normally began on December 26 and ended on Ash Wednesday, but often permission was granted to use masks beginning from October 1, and it was not unusual to hold parties and banquets even well into Lent.
Also, during the Sensa (Ascension) festivity, which lasted 15 days, masks and disguises were allowed.
In brief, Carnival lasted several months, and this has certainly contributed to the creation of the image of Venice as a city given to enjoyment.
Carnival in the 18th century
In its last century of life, the Republic (which capitulated with the French invasion in 1797) may only seem to concentrate on the outer frivolous aspects of life, although reality was much more complex.
At this time, Carnival started to become a tourist attraction all over Europe, with its parties, plays, masks and theatres, and public Gaming House, welcoming thousands of curious visitors wanting to be part of such a peculiar and effervescent atmosphere: Venice became "The magnet of Europe".
Carnival in the 21st century
Carlo Goldoni
In the plays of Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793) Carnival is mentioned so often that his writings have become a precious documentary source.
Those same comedies were performed during the Carnival season, mentioned in some of his most famous plays, like La vedova scaltra, Le massere, Le morbinose, I rusteghi, Una delle ultime sere di Carnovale.
Goldoni is certainly not benevolent towards the luxury and vice on parade during Carnival, and his performances offer a simple and austere type of entertainment.
More info:
- The Carnival of Venice today
- official website: www.carnevale.venezia.it
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