The Venice Carnival kicked off with a colourful parade on the Grand Canal featuring the traditional giant rat-shaped structure, which released confetti under the Rialto Bridge in a splendid whirlwind of colours, Reuters reports.
However, this edition of the carnival carries an Olympic theme linked to Italy’s hosting of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The Carnival, running from Jan. 31 to Feb. 17, is titled “Olympus: At the Origins of the Game” and celebrates sport and ancient mythology in the year Italy hosts the Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
As usual, revellers got creative, wearing traditional Venetian costumes, Olympic-themed outfits, or even disguising themselves as a Pope.
The Venice Carnival began centuries ago as a period of excess before the rigours of Lent, the 40 days of fasting that traditionally precede Easter. Venetians could then hide their identities behind masks and do as they pleased.
In the eighteenth century masks were used by noblemen in order to keep anonymity while voting on council matters.
Some masks were used to enable people to avoid the bad smell of the canals or if a plague hit the city.
Նյութերը գեներացվում են տարբեր կայքերից արհեստական բանականության միջոցով