Revelers in disguise, masks and colorful costumes, procession of traditional boats on the Grand Canal... Venice launched the festivities on Saturday January 28 marking the start of the pre-carnival before the official kick-off on February 3.
The event runs until February 13, the date of Mardi Gras, which marks the last day before Lent.
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Entitled “Ad Oriente”, towards the Orient, this edition promises a sumptuous journey in the footsteps of Marco Polo.
On Saint Mark's Square, the epicenter of the festival, beaded dresses, masks with pointed beaks, frou-frou and colorful fantasies compete in creativity.
Resurrected in 1979 by an association of Venetians, after Napoleon put an end to it in 1797, Carnival had existed in Venice since at least the 11th century, probably in 1162. Here are three things to know about the 2024 edition.
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The 2024 edition is dedicated to Marco Polo
700 years ago, the most famous Venetian merchant died in his hometown.
For the occasion, the carnival turns towards the Orient, like Marco Polo when he left for China in 1271. Thus, the dinner show organized each year at the Ca' Vendramin Calergi Palace is entitled this year "à la court of the Great Khan", in a staging imagined by costume designer Antonia Sautter, also organizer of the very popular Doge's Ball.
Alla Corte del Gran Khan dinner show, February 3 from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Online reservations
.
Shows on the water
“I am Marco Polo, and I have not told half of what I saw
. ”
These words from the traveling Venetian inspired the show Terra Incognita, which will be performed on the waters of the Arsenal basin from February 2.
Above the water, on boats or hanging from a wire, dancers, magicians and jugglers retrace the journey of the merchant who left Venice at just seventeen years old to find the Great Khan Kublai in China.
Terra Incognita show, from February 2 to 4 then from February 8 to 13. Six performances per day,
online reservations
.
Traditions and renewal
The main carnival traditions remain unchanged.
Thus, the so-called Pantegana parade, on January 28, opened the carnival with a procession of boats propelled by rowers in traditional clothing.
On
February 3
, the Festa delle Marie will bring together twelve young women for a parade in period clothing and the election of the Marie of the year.
The first day of Carnival, on the Fondamenta di Cannaregio, is the return of the Festa Veneziana, a gastronomic journey from stand to stand to taste local specialties.
The Carnival Street Show enlivens the entire city of the Doges, with street shows in the city squares (detailed program soon online).
On the other hand, the traditional Volo dell'Angelo, during which a costumed woman descends from the bell tower of Saint Mark by a cable, will not take place this year due to work on the square.
Festa Veneziana, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on the Fondamenta di Cannaregio quay.
Mary's Day, February 3, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., parade on the water from Santa Sofia to San Marco via the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square
.
Carnival Street Show
, January 27 and 28 then February 3 and 4 and February 8 to 13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the city.
In video -
Venice Carnival festivities open under thick fog