Jan 27
Carnival of Venice
- Thomas Cook Publishing
- 27/Jan/2012 15:30
11th - 21st February 2012
The annual Carnival of Venice is most famous for the extravagant masks and costumes worn by nearly all those who attend. The city is nicknamed ‘the city of masks’ and during this annual festival it truly lives up to its name. It is thought that more than 30,000 people visit the city every day during the celebrations which last for over two weeks in February.
The festival dates back hundreds of years becoming an official event in 1296. For a number of years however the carnival and also the wearing of masks in public was banned in
Venice
, as it was thought that wearing masks encouraged criminal activity in the city. It was only in 1979 that the city decided to bring back the carnival as it was originally. It has once again enjoyed success as an annual event for both the residents of
Venice
and also for the tourists who travel from around the world to see this unique celebration.
This year’s carnival is titled "
THE
LIFE
AND
THEATER.
ALL
IN THE MASK" and is dedicated to the dramatization of life. The main focus will be the improvement of the city and will encourage people to explore the city, either for the first time or to re-discover a city they already know.
Venice pocket guides, RRP £5.99
Venice traveller guides, RRP £9.99