The Venice Carnival traces its history back to the 12th century
February would be a completely dreary month, but by happy coincidence, in the Christian world it is precisely in the last winter month that one is supposed to have fun – either before Lent or just for the sake of it. Carnivals were invented for this purpose. Gazeta.Ru tells you where it will be most fun in February.
Venice, February 11-28
Wet, windswept February Venice would be depressing if not for the festival that begins in the middle of the month, when traditional Venetian masks finally fulfill their purpose. Masks, usually gathering dust on souvenir shop shelves, are the most famous attribute of the Venice Carnival: since the 13th century, it was customary in Venice to wear masks made of leather and porcelain for several months of the year.
Masks were either banned or allowed only at certain times; they could indicate a person's occupation and social status. They can be sinister or beautiful. In short, it is probably worth going to the carnival to hide behind a mask and mentally transport yourself to the era of the Venetian Republic or imagine yourself in Baroque interiors. Or, if you prefer, in Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut."
The Venice Carnival, which traces its history back to the 12th century, was outlawed at the end of the 18th century. It was officially revived only in 1979, and now it is one of the most popular events of the season, for which tourists from different countries are ready to take a vacation in February.
Over more than two weeks, many events are expected in Venice, from gala masked dinners at the Palazzo Vendramin Calergi overlooking the Grand Canal (evening gowns, five-course meals, dancing, tickets from €400) to the children's carnival in Zelarino, the Love Carnival on the Lido on Valentine's Day, a mask contest, gondola races, theatrical pantomime, the appearance of the Angel who descends on a rope from the Campanile di San Marco directly onto the square, and other Baroque and Renaissance wonders.
But the most amazing events happen when the square empties and in the semi-darkness of the streets, among the outlines of bridges and the reflections of lanterns in the dark water of the canals, a mysterious figure in a Plague Doctor mask suddenly appears.
Nice, February 11-25
The Carnival of Nice is one of the most iconic events on the French Riviera. For two weeks, carnival processions, music, and dance burst into the quiet winter life of the resort town. This year, the theme of the festival will be "Energy of the King." Participants and official designers will have the opportunity to unleash their imagination using, for example, electricity, wind energy, human-made energy, and so on.
The event has two traditions: the carnival procession during the day and night, and the Battle of the Flowers. Interestingly, the theme of the procession changes every year. For example, in 2016, it was a procession of dolls led by a king. He was carried on a giant platform as high as a six-story building, on which smaller dolls danced and made faces. Following the platform came the entire royal retinue – "four-story" mermaids and "three-story" knights, "five-story" Harry Potter and "two-story" Snow White. The parade was closed by dragons the size of a locomotive, swans, fish, and bats.
The second tradition, the Battle of the Flowers, consists of huge flower-basket platforms that move in the general procession. Several thousand freshly cut flowers are used annually to decorate them. Some of them are deliberately thrown into the crowds of celebrating people.
The festive atmosphere is also created by the spectators themselves, sitting in the stands. They spray each other with long colored "noodles" from aerosol confetti cans. The "noodles" harden in mid-air, hanging on ears, hair, carnival hats, and masks.
While all the heroes solemnly parade around the perimeter, the center of Place Massena turns into a real dance floor. International music groups and street artists perform here. After making several laps around the square, the carnival procession with many self-propelled platforms goes out onto the Promenade des Anglais and stretches for several kilometers.
Rio de Janeiro, February 18 – March 5
Street parties, samba parades, and dancing in sequins and feathers: the Rio de Janeiro Carnival is the main event in all of Latin America. The festival precedes the 40-day Lent. The Brazilian carnival owes its unique style to the influence of African immigrant slaves. That is why festive costumes abound in feathers and other African attributes.
The carnival opens with the coronation of the king and ends with the parade of the best samba schools and fireworks. Essentially, the festival itself is a parade of samba schools competing for the title of the best. Over several days, 12 leading dance schools demonstrate their talents. Each of them has a very large influence on the cultural life of the country. They have several tens of thousands of fans each, who are sure that their samba school is the best and eagerly await the carnival, hoping for the championship.
The number of performers in each school ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 people. Participants, who perform on 5-8 floats, are divided into groups of up to 40 people. Dancers must choose a carnival theme and compose a song that can reflect the meaning. The theme, of course, is expressed through dance and music.
Each performance is given 80 minutes, and the score is based on costume design, the dance itself, and the carnival theme. The schools compete for the champion title under the watchful eye of 40 judges who decide their fate. This event is so important in Rio that even local celebrities come to support their favorite schools.
Closer to night, the festive mood intensifies, and the city turns into a huge open-air samba party. Up to 300 parties can take place simultaneously. The more discerning public prefers to go to carnival balls in luxury hotels.
Madrid, February 24 – March 1
The carnival in Madrid is a celebration of humor, where costumes and masks fully reflect the fiesta. At this time, on the streets and squares of Madrid, you can meet anyone: kings, jesters, pirates, and princesses. The festival begins with a barker and a costumed procession. During the week, the city hosts a series of parades, music and dance festivals. The hallmark is the performance of traditional carnival groups "chirigotas," "comparsas," and "murgas," and the burial of the Sardine.
More than a hundred men dressed in 19th-century fashion, in black hats and Spanish robes, participate in the burial. They move slowly to the accompaniment of a funeral march performed by a brass band.
In the coffin lies an artificial sardine, which will be buried a few days later. The procession participants demonstratively sigh, wipe away tears, and try to convey the atmosphere of mourning as artistically as possible. People who stop to watch the procession are pelted with caramels.
The participants of the funeral procession are members of the so-called merry brotherhood of deceased sardines. The only way to join it is to inherit membership from a deceased relative.
The carnival ends with the burial of the Sardine. A group of people carries a huge cardboard fish on raised hands. They are followed by a funeral procession. According to eyewitnesses, the "widows" stand out, emitting inconsolable sobs. Their role is often played by mustachioed men. "Crying" and "moaning" are also heard on all the streets through which the procession passes. At the same time, the burial process is accompanied by cheerful music.