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Venice carnival masks

Venice carnival masks
MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAVenetian carnival masks have a long history . The Venetians have always had the habitude of wearing carnival masks and fancy clothes ,  not just during the Carnival period , but also on many other occasions during the year. .Of course the reason that made them dress up and hide their faces with carnival masks in particular times and places was obvious ;they did not want to be recognized.The women disguised themselves  with carnival masks not only to not be recognized , but also to have a better conspicuousness They disguise themself when they gambling at “Ridotto”gambling house,because they wouldn’t be recognized by their creditors who gave them no respite.

 

the Bauta
carnevale di venezia BautaThe term derives from the verb ” behuten “,a German word seems : to protect the wearer ,or from the esclamation ” bau ” (or ” bogey” ) , a typical Italian representation of the monster, beast or bad ,used by adults to frighten the childrens.The  mask have a black veil ( also white or blue and even scarlet ) called ‘ cloak ‘ or ‘ little cloak ‘ , which, starting from the neck covers the shoulders . It is the same type of dress for everyone , easy to confuse the different social classes.The cloak or mantle was a little dress owned by everyone from the poor to the aristocrats, weared by strangers but also by the robbers. The mask was completed by a black tricorn hat and a white mask enlarged and protruding upper lip under a protruding nose like a beak. The projection of the nose and cheekbones ” pointed” on the sides were also a convenient way to remove the mask ,and to keep it on hand.That kind of conformation became a soundboard, changing the timbre of the voice , thus making the wearer unrecognizable. SAM_0402
The white mask was called ” larva “, perhaps derived from the same Latin word whose meaning like a shadow / ghost.In the past the ” larva ” masks were made by famous craftsmen from those days, it was made ​​from stucco, papier-mâché or leather .The sizes had been in accordance with the comforts and the features of the face , but at the same time had to be in ” standard “, maintaining the constancy in the forms and colors, to be confused with other carnival masks.

You could eat and drink without removing it , thus maintaining the anonymity.After all this, it was the custom to wear a long black cloak that covered half of the body . During the Carnival , the Venetians used the bauta to maintain their anonymity ( granting any transgression ) and let them enjoy the fun.

The Bauta mask ,was used both by men and women on different occasions : it was even obligatory for the married women who went to the theater while it was forbidden to the young girls at the ” age of marriage”.Even the priests and the nuns used that kind of mask to hide their forbidden love stories .

It was introduced in theater by Carlo Goldoni in 1748.In many buildings with frescoes by Tiepolo you can recognize pictures in which appear the old bauta masks.

The Gnaga ,(the cat)
SAM_4110 Gnata is a Traditional Venice Carnival mask , a disguise as a woman for men , easy to implement and with fairly common use. It was made ​​up of women’s clothing in common use, a white cap and a mask with the likeness to a cat, accompanied by a basket ,on the arm ,that usually contained a kitten. The character is posing as a commoner small woman , uttering shrill sounds mocking and meows . Sometimes they wore garments of mercy , accompanied by other men dressed as children .

That kind of mask ,have a funny venetian story:

The cats were so scarce in Venice that have become the subject of the wide discution .
Legend tells us that a man who owned nothing that his old cat came to Venice from China.
The man became rich when the cat free,the Doge’s Palace from all its mice. When he returned home , rewarded by the Doge himself, his rich neighbor, full of envy , rushed to Venice with its most precious silks, thinking that if a simple cat did the other man rich , he would be greatly rewarded for all these precious objects. In fact , the Duke had promised , his most precious possession in exchange for objects and gifts … and the cunning neighbor came home with the …precious cat!

This mask offered the opportunity to hide the nature, of many young boys ,who went around dressed as Gnaga , to cover up their homosexuality. The behavior was very common among the young people (monitored by the state inquisitors .) The government attributed the bad habit to the influence of other peoples , especially the Turks, who were famous for this bad habit.From that mask derived an Venetians expression “ti ga na vose da Gnaga ” to indicate the tone of a shrill voice .

“On May 4, 1740 during a “regatta” held in honor of Frederick, King of Saxony, a boy Gnatamasked as Gnaga, from a boat, began to teasing of the Turks who were leaning out the windows on the place called the “turkish fundament” : these , irritated, began to react first with words , then , at the inceasing insults , uncovering the roof and stoning Gnaga with tiles,dropping off the entire cover of the building ” .

Moretta,(dark-skinned lady),
morrettaan oval mask of black velvet that was usually worn by women visiting the convents.Over the mask usualy ,could put a veil.This mask ,a traditional Venetian mask, could be worn by women throughout all the year. Used mainly by young women, the oval black mask, was accompanied by a poor dress ,like a simple servant who hid the identity of a noble woman in search of transgressions. The mask was devoid of the hole of the mouth , and was supported by a button placed inside with the teeth .The mask forced to not speak , which in those days was recommended to a not accompanied lady. dama veneziaInvented in France the mask quickly became popular in Venice, showing the beauty and the femininity of a  lady.The strange thing is that the mask was preferred by many men .

Dr.Peste (plague)

doctor pesteDr. peste is a modern Venetian Carnival Mask . This mask had a very peculiar story: On of the worst scourges of the city of Venice was undoubtedly the plague that struck the city on several occasions. Because of this plague, this strange costume was used as a disguise to recognize physicians who came to visit the sick patients,the strange dress was of French invention,and at the time represented the maximum prevention.The dress consisted of the doctor’s hat ,to show that the man was a doctor, a mask to protect the face, including” the crystal” eyes to protect the wearer’s eyes and a beak stuffed with spices or herbs to purify the air that the doctor breathed.The costume was completed with a wooden stick to push away the victims who get too close to him , a pair of leather gloves to protect his hands , a gown waxed from the outside, and long boots.

Dama mask, (lady)

dama carnevalethe mask has many variants correspond to the elegant ladies of the sixteenth century covered in jewels, expensive clothes and processed headgears .Le ladies used to wear white wigs high hairstyles with very elaborate or elegant hairstyle with curls and braids, with a hat of the same shade of gown embellished with colorate feathers. The extremely elaborate dress, with the skirt very wideand large,the quality fabric,colorful and full of lace and decorations aroused the admiration of all who watched.

The mask , in tune with thedama whole costume have a holder to keep it before the face and hide  to the anonymous. In our days,this is probably the most popular type of mask, with the most beautiful effect, used during the Carnival of Venice.

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Venice description :M.O.S.E.

M.O.S.E. -MOdello Sperimentale Elletromecanico – Electromecanic experimental model .

M.O.S.E._00018Mose is a part of the General Plan of Measures for the Protection of Venice and its lagoon ,within the framework of the Special Law for Venice defined as a result of high tide (November 4, 1966) .http://dipoco.altervista.org/venice-acqua-alta-high-water/
Is a system of barrages who defending Venice and the lagoons from high waters, which become more frequent and intense .The recent estimates predict rise of the a sea level in the next 100 years, in a range between 18 and 59 cm.

The dams are formed by a series of gates that normally remain on the bottom of the mouth of the harbor completely invisible. In case of danger , the gates are raised so as to isolate the lagoon from the sea.Is one of the most important hydraulic engineering works ever realized , able to protect against a flood of up to three meters , the result of an international system of  techno scientific exchanges with leading universities, research centers and major engineering company .
Before the construction, large surveys were carried out to detect underwater archaeological sites and to find war remnants.
The dockyard , active simultaneously in all three inlets , began to work in 2003 and the works are in a very advanced stage. Were subtracted from the lagoon bottom ,5 million cubic meters of mud ,and replaced with concrete caissons .In addition to the activities at the inlets is proceeding with the construction of the main components: the gates and the hinges .The hinges represent the technological heart of the barriers , blocking the floodgates to their place, allowing the movement and providing the functional connection with the operation .There are made of a “male” element ( height 3 m, weight 10 tons ) connected to the gate ,  a “female” element ( height 1.5 m, weight 25 tons ) bound to the body of the caisson, and the group of the “coupling piece” that joins the male and female to form the hinge. Will be made 156 hinges (two for each gate ), attentively controlled because the failure of one of the hinges can lead to tragic events in Venice, such as floods and tsunamis .

The Mose will be provided also with some basins ,and flood gates used to enter and exit M.O.S.E._0001the ships when the gates are raised. All the sistem become active when the forecasting system on the high seas predict tides higher than +110 cm which starts the mechanism and the gates will be raised (in 30 minutes).When the tide level decreases , the time of closing of the gates is 4 hours adn 30 minutes.
The defend of the average basis tides will be left to the so called “local defense system “, the rising of the urban pavement .

In 2014 will be completed the construction of both the barriers of the Lido  inlet , at the same time , will proceed the positioning of the caissons at the inlets of Malamocco and Chioggia harbour, and then installing the gates and complete the system Mose in 2016.
In parallel was started the renovation and the equip of the space for the future maintenance . Arsenale, (http://dipoco.altervista.org/109/ ) the symbol of Serenissima republic of Venice, will be the head of the Mose’s control and maintenance and the management of the lagoon system. A delicate problem will be the maintenance of the gates ( every five years ,will be need to lift and remove the gates from their home to clean the external and internal accumulation and biofouling , painting them and other tasks that can not be made ” on the spot ” .
M.O.S.E._0002 The main ( of the various) critics of the “anti Mose ” ;in addition to high costs ( have been allocated  4.987 billion euro for the construction of the dams ) is the problem of the physical protection of the laguna environment. If the most important problem was the erosion of the bottom of the inlets , caused by excessive functionality of these ,leading to an increased entry of sea water , according to the criticism ,Mose not only would not stop the phenomenon, but would impede any possible further action due to the overbuilding of the backdrops set at 15 meters depth (if erosion will down below this depth ) .Over the years, were presented  nine appeals,  which challenged the construction .The last one demanded appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of the birds habitats or any disturbances who affecting their life .

On the future, Mose, will be an attraction for visitors and tourists. The new design of the territory,  the redevelopment of the shoreline through a series of  services for public use , as docks and protected anchorages, green areas with trees, “squares of water”, pedestrian and cycle paths and scenic spots like raised terraces from where you can see the sea ,the boats and, if you are fortunate …the dams.
.

 

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VENICE- Carnival, old festivals

VENICE-  Carnival, old festivals

 

regata dele cariole

The royal race “Regatta” of wheelbarrows

The first race with wheelbarrows,at the Venetian festivals, starts in 1751, when two scavengers (Cosimo and Gasparo) were swayed to compete in speed with their wheelbarrows for the winding and busy streets of Venezia.That liked so much to the people that it became a “race” with many competitors, between the rows of crowd. The awards which initially consisted of perhaps a jug of wine became more conspicuous and were also awarded the top finishers with typical colorful flags (coveted trophy of the true racing).

Without masks, simple clothes, hat like servants. The “regatta” with wheelbarrows was probably an ironic playful competition,for the lower classes, just for fun, and to attract the attention of the public.

Puppet showsburatini
Puppet shows and storytelling have always been very popular all over Italy, especially in Venice , during the Carnival. You could admire the traditional Italian puppets ( burattini ) used in theater to represent humans, animals or mythological characters that were the hallmark of the Commedia dell’Arte also supported by Carlo Goldoni .

But this singular spectacle was also done to attract the crowds, to put them together , and to propose a ” special balm ” or ” elixir of life ” ,to the people who believe in these things. These are the ancestors of modern-day advertising .

Charlatans and mountebanks in St. Mark’s Square ,

saltimbachiAt the puppet theater can be inserted into the broader landscape of street the entertainments like : jugglers , storytellers, acrobats, mimes, acrobats and animal trainers who always been the heart of the Carnival of Venezia .On San Marco square, all kinds of shows, magic tricks , music, blossomed during the Carnival period .There were many people who believed the impostors, who were able to pass as curators of the diseases, predict the future and to help the poors … but there was also the clown (which has its roots in the  Commedia dell ‘Arte, in the late eighteenth century), an “ROMPIBALLE ” , a true professional of the guffaw, the farce, mockery, one who has the courage to use the’ only weapon at his disposal: the freedom.

People from all over the world, willingly participated at these the celebrations.

Eggs scented

Carnival has always been a way of flirting , getting together with a person from the other carnivalsex .It become a trend at that time , to woo women , through an strange game “the throwing eggs” filled with rose water .The merchants were selling different kinds of scented eggs , and the young masked men willing to show their appreciation for the ladies that they liked most, throwed these scented eggs in front of their homes. Of course,the joke could go wrong , so the eggs could be launched to the people, to the husbands of the ladies , or, to the ladies themselves. The “masks” of the lancers were also known as Mattaccino or Frombolatore  ( matina= morning and frombola = fionda =  the sling ) .

Card Games

SAM_0402The Venetians are well known for their love of the gambling . In a carnival scene (taken from  ” Jealous Women” a comedy by Carlo Goldoni) . You can see a typical representation of the XVIII century at this kind of meeting , all the persons wearing a mask, most of them the typical “bauta” ,most of them engaged in a conversation ,playing cards , and continuing the eternal game of seduction .

Unfortunately most of these festivals have been lost because of the laws that changed Italy, due to the Napoleonic invasions at the end of 1700, laws who suspended the carnival itself in 1797.

CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2014 – OFFICIAL WEBSITE   HTTP://WWW.CARNEVALE.VENEZIA.IT/?SLANG=EN

 

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Venezian old carneval feasts

Venezian old carneval feasts

 

These feasts were celebrated in the eighteenth century , when the Carnival began in
the first Sunday, on October .

Venezian carnival feast; Bull hunt

Bull fighting usually started from the first day until the last Sunday of Carnival. The chase

started ( in a different section of the city) every day of the week except Friday.bulls_pag29The fact it was possible to throw in the channel in case of danger, helped much to not to be reported seriuous accidents .The hunt ” cazza ” was allowed only during Carnival , and was actualy a fight between dogs and a bull ,not a hunt as we understand it . The final act took place usually in St. Polo,square, with a similar dynamic like the bull fighting in Pamplona ( Spain).

The bull, instigated by the dogs,was retained by the horns through the ropes by the young men called ” tiradori ” who showed thus their strength and ability. It should be noted that women also competed regularly to the “hunt” .The bulls that were unleashed on the street,unlike those Spaniards who are young, strong and irascible animals, were old and winded , and even the oxen. Free, or tied with ropes to the horns , the poor animals, after being subjected to ill-treatmentand by the humans, were torn to pieces by dogs and then slaughtered .

Even during the eighteenth century , on the day of Shrove Tuesday the venetians continuing to organize the ” cazza ” ( hunting) of the bull.

Venezian carnival feast ; the cat

” A very cruel game , popular until the late eighteenth century in festivals, mainly in the area caccia al toro in spaniaof Santa Maria Formosa. The game develops in that way: a cat was tied upside down above a table , by leather straps ,that grip the abdomen and let free the legs . Competitors , head shaved and protecting his face
with his hands ,should be able to kill the poor animal with the least possible number of warheads .The animal in defense could hurt the shaved head exposed to the claws ”

Companie di calze

From the middle of the 15th century to the end of the 16 th century the organisation of the festival activities was delegated to the “companie di calze” .These asociations of young venezians nobles could be distinguished by their variously multicoloured patterned hose.Each stoking group had imaginative names which were inspirated by and reflected particular virtutes: “florid” ones,”united” ones,and “the concordi”. Others derived their names from contemporary works ortolani, zardineri,cortesi and sempiterni.
the aim of these grups was to create and preparate the entertainment and shows during the carnival .Between the 1487 and 1565 were 23 different groups throughout venice.

 

Venezian carneval feast; The eel in barrel

” This game was still in vogue and is sometimes repeated in some block party . Consists in be able to grasp with the teeth an eel swimming in a barrel of water blackened with squid ink . ”

Venezian carneval feast ; Bagordi , and tournaments
GIOSTRE E TORNEI” Bagordi” were the performances of mock battles between the two teams, on the narrow streets, which offered an decent show.Sometimes instead the rides were carried out to test the ability of the knights in the use of the lance: they had to slip rings on the tip of the spear, thus removing them from their support. There was “shooting with crossbows” quite common tournaments, who occurred in specific areas of the city known as “targets.” It is
also reminiscent the fake attacks on fake wooden forts built for these occasion as well as mock sea battles. ”

 

Today, the celebrations last about two weeks. In St. Mark’s Square and camps are organized pageants , concerts,various performances and fireworks.

 

CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2014 – OFFICIAL WEBSITE   HTTP://WWW.CARNEVALE.VENEZIA.IT/?SLANG=EN

 

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Venice – Carnival old feasts – Moresca ,Hercules Strength

carnival old feasts

carnival old feasts

Venice –  Carnival old feasts – Moresca ,Hercules Strength .

At the time of the “Serenenissima Republic” Venice people was divided into two factions : Castellani and Nicolotti . The first , ( inhabitants of the area of San Nicolo dei Mendicoli , Santa Croce, San Polo and Dorsoduro ) with red cap and red scarf , representing the workers of the Arsenal , the second , ( people from the neighborhood of San Marco ,  part of Dorsoduro and Cannaregio, Lido , Castle districts) , with black scarf and black hat, most of them fishermen. The competition between the two venetian fractions, during the carnival , as in other ocasions, became a nornal thing .

The Strength of Hercules …the human pyramids , in which were challenged the performances by the two rival giov grasfactions of the Venetian districts the Castellani and Nicolotti .They exercised many years in dexterity, agility and balance .

Accompanied by music, they performed not only in San Marco square, but also in the Big Channel upon the rafts placed on the boats .An planking was placed on the barrels ( if the game was played on land ) or on two boats , (but was reaching the enabling of built pyramids on the basis of two gondola irons) ; on this unstable basis , the athletes had to form human pyramids who sometimes reached eight storey. At the base was formed by 10/12 men called “saorna”, ballast that support the second group with axles or by holding up the weight of the companions directly on their body, while on the top climbed a child called “cimiereto”. Arrived on, this was performing somersaults and back flips.

There were numerous variations allowed, so as to give variations to the original form, among the most famous are: “The Colossus of Rhodes”, “The Case of Mohammed,” “Bella Venezia”, “The Union”, “the Verginella “” Glory, “” Fame, “” the Lion “,” the Three bridges “,” The Caffaro “” the Duck, “” the Carega Imperial “,” el Gran Mogol “etc..

The Moorish dance  (la moresca)

La-Moresca-un-tempoThe origins of that dance are uncertain: Some historians said that it has very ancient origins and is linked to farmers archaic rituals , such as propitiation of the good harvest represented by the fight against the malignant spirits .

During the carnival of Venice, after the Strength of Hercules , the Nicolotti and Castellani teams was exhibited the Moorish dance, a kind of collective fencing to the rhythm of the dance, ” fought ” with blunt swords called ” mele corte”. The performance started slowly in low musical rhythm and then sped up on the movements of the arms , ending in a kind of fury. It was an collective dance with pantomimic elements formed by two opposing armies, with swords, mimicking a fight at martial rhythm of one or more drums . One of the two groups of dancers blackening the face and all wore bells on their wrists and ankles to simulate the noise of the guns.

According to others, the origin of this dance would be tied to the Crusades as it would simulate the struggle between Christians and Moors . Finally, other scholars believe that it was introduced in Europe as a result of Spanish contamination and spread especially in the period between the fifteenth and the sixteenth century.moorish dancers These great feasts were held in the eighteenth century , when Carnival started on the first Sunday of October. On the last years this important event has lost much of the spirit of spontaneity that made it famous in the world. Nowadays the celebrations last about two weeks. In St.  Mark’s Square and “in the camps” are organized pageants, concerts, shows and fireworks.

CARNIVAL OF VENICE – official website   http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/?slang=en

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Venice – Carnival, Mary’s feast days

 

 

Venice – Carnival, Mary’s  feast  days

 

mary's feast

mary’s feast

The  Mary’s feast days “Festa delle Marie” was born at the beginning of the ninth century ,( on February 2 of each year) , to thank to the Virgin Mary for her intercession and to commemorate the victory over the pirates.The Mary’s feast days  seems to have been introduced in the year 943 and being continued during the Carnival  .

Originally,on February 2,the  blessing day, was celebrated the marriages of twelve poor and beautiful girls (two for each district, renamed for the occasion Mary  “marie”) , at Saint Peter’s Basilica of Castello. The ceremony, had been set up to help those who were in financial need and to increase the marriages in a town with few inhabitants.

 
The marriages were possible thanks to the donation made ​by the nobles of Venice and the Doge’s kindess  .It was an well known the custom that the Doge lend to the girls beautiful jewelery and gold from the treasury of the city. The gifts were brought in the specially built wooden boxes called “arcelle” or “capsellae”.The “Marie” went in the procession , marching in thele marie festaembellished boats  ( also well known Bucintoro,the doge’s boat ),ran through the canals of the city, attended religious services in the principal churches in Venice ,participating to the dance,music and refreshments organized by  the citizen.The doge , followed by the nobles accompanied the brides in St. Mark’s Square, here he handed them “the blessed candles “and invited them to a banquet in the Palazzo Ducale (the Doge palace).The ability to get close to Marie was considered a good omen , as well as an opportunity to Venetians and foreigners to see wonderful women , wearing beautiful clothes with rare and highly prized ornaments .le marie

On the year 943 , during the  celebration of ,the marriage of the girls, the Istrian-Dalmatian pirates, kidnapped them ,with the intention to reduce them to slavery, and to steal the “arcelle” with the precious jewels .
After the initial disbelief and the general confusion,a squad of armed Venetians leaded by the Doge Pietro III Candiano goes to chasing the pirates. They reach the pirates at Caorle , attacked and killed them all,their bodies were thrown into the sea.The twelve girls and their precious gold were rescued . The Doge also decided that the place where this happened this bloody episode was called “Port of Damsels” ,(young girl) a name that still remains.

As a reward for those who have helped the doge to defeat the pirates,the ” caselleri” ( mainly craftsmen who build houses ) , who had established their school craft and the altar of the devotion to in the church of Santa Maria Formosa, asked the Doge to visit their parish and the Church of Santa Maria Formosa ,annually, at the same day to the memory of this kidnapping .The request was granted and maintained for centuries and the visit to Santa Maria Formosa church was included in the Doge’s calendar of the public visits .

Over the years the number of the Marie has changed several times .

mary's feastHowever, along the time the Mary’s feast days, also created quite a stir : it often happened that the girls about to get married were courted , and raped by men who came to see them.Starting from 1343 the twelve beautiful maidens in ” flesh and bones ” were only twelve wooden silhouettes painted  the Mary of wood “Marie de tola ”  to which the people often challenged to throwing stones and garbage.For this reason in 1349 was passed a law who prohibiting to throw objects towards the wooden silhouettes ( the punishment was jail ) .The term “tola” in the venetian dialect became similar with a flat women without breasts.The term ” marionete ” puppet comes from small puppets called ” Marie Wood ” (or ” Marion ” when larger) , names inspired by “Marie de tola” term. .

In 1379 the Celebration of Marie was suppressed , to be resumed ( after seven centuries ) in 1999, with some variations .

carneval
Nowdays the Venice carnival opens each year with the parade of the  Mary’s  feast  days. In the penultimate day of the carnival in a public contest is choice the most beautiful girl from the 12 girls , and the next day will be proclaimed the ” mary of the year ” .The winner will be the protagonist of the ” angel flight ” at the next carnival.

 

CARNIVAL OF VENICE – OFFICIAL WEBSITE   HTTP://WWW.CARNEVALE.VENEZIA.IT/?SLANG=EN

 

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Venice – carnival, the Angel Flight

Venice – the Angel Flight

volo” Angel Flight .The name come from an real fly during the carnival in 1500 when a young turkish acrobat , was the protagonist of an action never seen before in Venice. From a boat anchored on the quay of the Piazzetta (San Marco), the acrobat was able to get up to the belfry of the  San Marco bell tower, walking only on a rope . This strange performance took place on Maundy Thursday , the first day of the carnival ,with the Piazza San Marco crowded in the presence of the Doge and the nobilty.
This spectacular feat , was immediately called the “turkish flight” (Svolo del turco) ,and the event was scheduled as official ceremony for subsequent editions” .The flight (Svolo ) was always repeated by professional acrobats , until , some ” Arsenalotti ” ( the workers of the shipyards of the Arsenale ) wanted to prove themselves , traning so hard to become, over the centuries, the specialized team in that undertaking.
For many years the show, keeping the same name , was performed only by professional artists ,but was challenged also by young Venetians , demonstrating skill and courage with many variations on the theme .venezia_carnevale-di-venezia-volo-dellangelo
The artist had to climb the rope from the quay, up to the bell tower ;get down with spins up to the loggia of the Palazzo Ducale where the Doge , along with all political power and foreign ambassadors , receive from his hands a bunch of flowers or cards with the sonnets ; and finally return to the bell tower.
Often in exchange for the bouquet of flowers , the Doge rewarded the ” Turkish ” with a sum of money .Decades later, the acrobats who wrestled on that enterprise were replaced with an artist,who , “hanging on to the rope with rings , was brought down at great speed along the rope,with a pair of wings on his back “.

Thus was born the Angel Flight , a practice abandoned in 1759 when the show turned into tragedy ” Nane Bailo , a member of a famous Venezian family, crashed on the ground into the crowd in horror .” It was probably because of these incidents , the flight ,was forbidden and the acrobat was replaced by a large wooden dove , descending , and scattered flowers and confetti over the crowd .In that way the accidents on the rope were eliminated ,( not bode well for the acrobat ); was born the belief that a flight without incident is a good omen for the carnival , and a new name name :the
Flight of the Dove .
ITALY-VENICE-CARNIVAL-FESTIVAL-ANGELIn modern Venice Carnival , it was decided to re-insert the Angel Flight ,in the version of the Flight of the Dove .It is held on the first Sunday of the carnival,and is one of the main events : a mechanical bird drops down from the Campanile di San Marco to the Palazzo Ducale. Halfway a trapdoor from the belly, opened and free candy and confetti ,down over the crowd.

This tradition has continued to this day , but since 2001 it has returned  to the old formula of the Angel Flight , the Colombina is replaced by a real woman who makes the descent from the bell tower to the square firmly secured to a metal cable .
The artist makes his descent from the belfry of the tower sliding slowly toward the ground,
Festa delle Marie 2008suspended in the air above the crowd that fills the space below .
The ” Angel flight” have the protagonist the winner of the Mary contest from the previous year, is generally played at noon on the first Sunday of celebration and opens the most important week of Carnival.

 

CARNIVAL OF VENICE – OFFICIAL WEBSITE   HTTP://WWW.CARNEVALE.VENEZIA.IT/?SLANG=EN

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Venezia,carnevale -Svolo del turco

Venezia carnevale Svolo del turco
venezia_carnevale-di-venezia-volo-dellangelo” Svolo del turco  prese il nome  dall’impresa di cui fu protagonista durante un carnevale nel 1500 un giovane turco,acrobata di mestiere, protagonista di un’impresa mai vista a Venezia. Da una barca ancorata nel molo della Piazzetta, l’acrobata riuscì ad arrivare fino alla cella campanaria del Campanile di San Marco, camminando su una corda soltanto con l’aiuto di un bilanciere.” La strana esibizione si svolgeva il Giovedì Grasso, con la
Piazza San Marco gremita dalla folla incitante e alla presenza del Doge e della nobiltà.Dopo il successo di questa spettacolare impresa, subito denominata Svolo del turco, l’evento, fu richiesto e programmato come cerimonia ufficiale anche per le successive edizioni.
Lo “Svolo” fu ripetuto sempre da acrobati professionisti, fino a quando alcuni popolani della categoria “Arsenalotti” (le maestranze dei cantieri dell’Arsenale) vollero provare essi stessi, prendendo la cosa così a cuore da diventare, nei secoli,la categoria specializzata in tale impresa.Per molti anni lo spettacolo, mantenendo lo stesso nome, vide esibirsi solo artisti di professione, finché non si cimentarono nell’impresa anche giovani veneziani, dando prova di abilità e coraggio con varie spericolatezze e variazioni sul tema.

“L’artista doveva salire sulla corda fino al campanile; scendere con piroette fino alla loggia del Palazzo Ducale dove il Doge, assieme a tutto il potere politico e agli ambasciatori stranieri, riceveva dalle sue mani un mazzo di fiori o delle carte con dei sonetti;risalire infine sul campanile.Spesso in cambio del mazzo di fiori il Doge premiava il “Turco” con una somma di denaro.”marie
Ai numerosi acrobati si sostituì decenni più tardi un artista dotato di ali che, appeso con degli anelli alla corda, veniva fatto scendere a gran velocità lungo la fune.Così nacque il Volo dell’Angelo, pratica abbandonata nel 1759 quando l’esibizione si trasformò in tragedia:

” un tale Nane Bailo, di una famiglia di famosi arsenalotti,si schiantò al suolo tra la folla inorridita “.

Fu probabilmente a causa di questi incidenti che più avanti ,il volo con queste modalità, fu vietato e l’acrobata fu sostituito da una grande colomba di legno che, scendendo, spargeva fiori e coriandoli sopra la folla.Cosi si eliminavano gli incidenti sulla fune  ,che non erano certo di buon auspicio per l’acrobata;nacque la credenza che un volo senza incidenti sia di buon auspicio per il carnevale ,ed un nuovo nome nome:Volo della Colombina.

Nel Carnevale di Venezia moderno, si è deciso di inserire nuovamente anche il Volo dell’Angelo,nella versione del Volo della Colombina.
“Si tiene la prima domenica di festa, ed è uno dei principali eventi d’apertura:
un uccello meccanico scende giù dal Campanile di San Marco fino al Palazzo Ducale. A metà percorso una botola nel suo ventre si apre e libera coriandoli e caramelle sulla folla.”
voloQuesta tradizione si è mantenuta fino ai giorni nostri, ma a partire dal 2001 si è tornati
alla vecchia formula del Volo dell’Angelo ;la Colombina viene sostituita da una donna vera e propria che compie la discesa dal campanile alla piazza saldamente assicurata a un cavo metallico.L’artista, effettua la sua discesa dalla cella campanaria del campanile scorrendo lentamente verso terra, sospesa nel vuoto, sopra la moltitudine che riempie lo spazio sottostante.
Lo “Svolo dell’Angelo” la cui protagonista è la Maria dell’anno precedente,viene svolto generalmente a mezzogiorno della prima domenica di festa e apre la più importante settimana del Carnevale .

 

 

Carnevale di Venezia 2014: info, programma e principali avvenimenti

 http://news.supermoney.eu/cultura-spettacoli/2014/02/carnevale-di-venezia-2014-info-programma-e-principali-avvenimenti-0063242.html

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Venezia – Carnevale;Le feste delle Marie

Venezia – Carnevale;Le feste delle Marie

carnevalLa Festa delle Marie pare che sia stata introdotta nell’anno 943 e poi sia proseguita nel periodo del Carnevale. In origine il 2 febbraio ,giorno della benedizione, si celebravano i matrimoni di dodici fanciulle (due per ogni sestiere,ribattezzate per l’occasione Marie) povere e belle,presso la Basilica di San Pietro di Castello.La cerimonia era stata istituita per dare aiuti a chi si trovava in condizioni economiche disagiate e per  incrementare i matrimoni in una città poco abitata.Questi matrimoni erano possibili grazie anche alla donazione della dote fatta dai nobili di Venezia e al successivo omaggio del Doge. Era consuetudine del Doge concedere in prestito alle fanciulle gli splendidi gioielli e gli ori provenienti dal tesoro della città.Le doti erano portate in delle casette di legno appositamente costruite chiamate “arcelle” o “capselle”
Festa delle Marie 2008Il corteo delle Marie, sfilando in una processione di barche (anche famoso Bucintoro) che attraversava i rii della città, assistevano a funzioni religiose nelle principali chiese Venezia, partecipando a balli, musiche e rinfreschi organizzati dai cittadini.Il doge, seguito dai nobili accompagnava le spose a San Marco,consegnava loro i ceri benedetti e le invitava ad un banchetto in Palazzo Ducale.
La possibilità di avvicinarsi alle Marie era considerata di buon auspicio, oltre che un’occasione per veneziani e stranieri di vedere da vicino delle donne meravigliose, con indosso addobbi rari e pregiatissimi.
le marieUn giorno (943),durante le celebrazioni del matrimonio,dei pirati istriani rapirono le fanciulle,con tutti i gioielli della dote. Dopo l’iniziale incredulità e la confusione il Doge Pietro III Candiano intervenne in testa di una squadra di veneziani armati che si posero all’inseguimento dei pirati .Riuscirono a raggiungere i pirati presso Caorle, dove li attaccarono ed uccisero tutti.Le dodici fanciulle e i loro preziosi ori furono in salvo ed i cadaveri dei pirati furono tutti gettati in mare . Il doge stabilì inoltre che il luogo dove era avvenuto questo cruento episodio si chiamasse Porto delle Donzelle, nome che a tutt’oggi permane.

Come ricompensa per quelli che hanno aiutato il doge a sconfiggere i pirati ,i caselleri
(artigiani che fabbricavano principalmente le casse) , che avevano la sede della loro scuola di mestiere e l’altare di devozione nella chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa ,chiesero al Doge visitare ogni anno la loro parrocchia e la Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa,nello stesso giorno del rapimento a ricordo perenne del avvenimento.La richiesta fu accolta e mantenuta per secoli e la visita a Santa Maria Formosa fu inserita nel calendario delle visite pubbliche del Doge.

le marie festaAl inizio del IX secolo,nacque la Festa delle Marie,(il 2 febbraio di ogni anno) ,per ringraziare la Madonna della sua intercessione e per commemorare la vittoria sui pirati,ma nel corso degli anni il numero delle Marie è cambiato diverse volte.

Tuttavia la Festa delle Marie creava anche non poco scompiglio: accadeva spesso che le ragazze in procinto di sposarsi venissero corteggiate, e nel peggiore dei casi violentate, dagli uomini accorsi a vederle.
A partire dal 1343 le dodici bellissime fanciulle in “carne ed ossa” rimasero soltanto dodici
maria di tolasagome in legno dipinto”le Marie de tola” che spesso il popolo contestava con il lancio di pietre e immondizie.E per questo motivo che nel 1349 venne emanata una legge che vietava il lancio di oggetti verso di esse ( la punizione era la galera).
Il termine di tola passo anche a indicare donne piatte senza ombra di seno.Sembra che il termine “Marionetta” derivi da piccoli fantocci per bambini detti “Marie di legno” (o “Marióne” quando più grandi), nomi ispirati alle “Marie de tola” di cui sopra.
Nel 1379 la Feste della Marie venne soppressa, per essere ripresa (dopo sette secoli) nel 1999 con alcune varianti.

ITALY-VENICE-CARNIVAL-FESTIVAL-ANGELOra il carnevale di Venezia si apre ogni anno con il corteo storico della “Festa delle Marie”.In penultimo giorno di carnevale in una Gala vene scelta la ragazza più bella tra le 12 fanciulle,e il giorno dopo verrà proclamata la “MARIA DELL’ANNO”.La vincitrice sara protagonista del “volo dell’angelo” al prossimo carnevale.

 

Carnevale di Venezia 2014: info, programma e principali avvenimenti

 http://news.supermoney.eu/cultura-spettacoli/2014/02/carnevale-di-venezia-2014-info-programma-e-principali-avvenimenti-0063242.html

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Venice festivals – Shrove Thursday

Venice-Shrove Thursday

At the begining of each Carnival  is set the date for the start of the official celebrations.( Shrove Thursday )

carnevale-venezia-s-marco-22That begins on the first Saturday before Shrove Thursday and ends at Shrove Tuesday for a total of only eleven days.During the Carnival the business and affairs of the Venetians passed into the background, and they conceded every day of their time to the festivities, jokes, entertainment and events that were set up throughout the city, especially in Piazza San Marco ,along the Riva degli Schiavoni, in all the major “fields” of Venice.

Ancient,…and strange …origin of the festival celebrate a major victory of the Venetian Republic against the Patriarch of Udine , Ulrich,(or Volrico or Vodolrico, which was nominated by Frederick Barbarossa in 1161)
All starts in 1026 when Conrad II Emperor of the West,  forced Pope John XIX to a new
synod of bishops to confirm the supremacy of Popone, the Cardinal of Aquileia against the patriarchy of Grade city ,a region, where Venice and Bisanzio had many interests .On 1028 the same Emperor gives to the Patriarch of Aquileia,Popone,a part of Friuli region.

In 1162 Ulrich,an other patriarch of Aquileia with some feudal vassals (to renew the giov grasexploits of his ancestor), taking advantage of the ongoing war between Venice and the city of Padua and Ferrara, aided by the feudal lords of Carinthia and Friuli, attacked the town of Grado, forcing the patriarch Enrico Dandolo to take refuge in Venezia.The patriarch Dandolo with military aid from the Doge Vitale Michieli II defeats the enemy, regaining the city, and captures the Ulrich with twelve of his canonicals, and leads them ,in triumph, to Venice.

To break free from the prison they had to promise to pay an  annual tribute to the Venetians:twelve loaves of bread, twelve pigs and a bull . The animals were then greeted as prisoners in the Ducal Palace. From that day,  the ” Shrove Thursday “, the anniversary of the victory , the pigs and the bull who came to Venice were sentenced to death by beheading in a real  process and the judgment was publicly performed in St. Mark’s Square . The meat of the “criminals” were then distributed among the senators of the Republic, while the loaves were distributed in the prisons.

ITALY-VENICE-CARNIVAL-FESTIVAL-ANGELThis honor was given to the guild of blacksmiths , assisted by that of the butchers ( Becheri ) ,who  slaughtered the pigs and offered the meat to all the Venetian people.

The Venetian said :” To cut the bull’s head ” (which means getting rid of the obstacles, ending up problem in a definitive way), because with the cut of the bull’s head was placed the end of the show ,comes from here .

The intention of the Doge , was to perpetuate the memory of the victorious warlike deeds ,as well as a warning to the enemies , to inspire the pride of the Venetian force to the future generations; because it was clear that the obligation of the offer was not intended to Grado city but to Venice

The Doge and the main representatives of the State , were protagonists of another singular ceremony : in a hall of the ducal palace were put on,the little wood models of castles in change of the originals of the feudal lords of Ulrich ,and armed with maces enjoyed smashing everything … an eternal reminder of the victory inflicted to Friuli
region.

This story, however, has a bad impact to the people of Udine, in the Shrove Thursday  of the year 1511 and was called:
Cruel Shrove Tuesday.

250px-Antonio__a_Udine_nel_1511The Venetian government had never considered Friuli region at the same rank as the other domains  but had interest to keep its dominance to keep as far as they can from Venice the Turkish and the (holy Roman) imperial army .
This attitude is also reflected in the policy characterized by the lack of measures to improve the condition of the population ( mainly rural ) on the social and economic development. The nobility , deprived of its ancient power by the government of Venice , tried to maintain his social status by exploiting the few remaining rights and the services owed ​​by farmers bringing to exasperation the feudal relations between subordinate ( farmer ) – sir (noble ) .Because of that the farmers gathered in ( a kind of party) of Zamberlani (çambarlans); the nobles also formed the party called the STRUMIERI

The day of ” Shrove Thursday “( February 27, 1511 ) Antonio Savorgnan , (the general commandant of the “cernide”,the armed militias of farmers who were called up in the case of war) staged an “Imperial” attack against Udine (actually ” the imperial army” was soldiers commanded by Alvise da Porto , his nephew ) . In the midst of the chaos created by the failure of the attack, the Savorgnans capitans stirred up the armed population , to the looting of the dwellings of the cities (lands of the noble family called “della Torre” )
which followed in the wake of lust booty, those of all the nobility of Udine (except for the palace of the Savorgnans,the true head of the revolt ) .
Meanwhile, in the wake of the violence spread like wildfire to the territories of Udine and
La--un-temposlowly  throughout all the region. The villagers , mostly farmers , armed as to go into battle besieged  the nearby castles inhabited by the nobility .
The Venetian government set up a special tribunal that condemned to death the major leaders of the revolt ,without hitting the real architect , Antonio Savorgnans .
Revenge , however, is not long late because “the strumieri” organized a conspiracy to murder him.That occurred on March 27, 1512 at the exit of the cathedral of Villach ,being killed by two Udinese nobles.


The tradition of the bulls and pigs continued until 1420 (the end of the temporal power of the patriarchs of Aquileia,when the Friuli region came under the domination of Venice), but despite the fact that the tribute was no more paid, the state continued to provide pigs and bulls for popular fun with the money from the  Republic’s Treasury .That “playful tribute” gives rise to the much curious folk festivals.After the execution of the animals the celebrations followed which the “forces of Hercules”, stunts such as ” the turkish fly” and
dances such as the “Moorish” (warrior dance),the theme of the future articles.

 

 

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