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Today's Carnival celebrations in Venice, Italy, are a new
'tradition' begun in 1979, run by a Carnival Committee, based around
a yearly theme, and last about 10 days in February. The old tradition of Carnival in Venice is very old. The
earliest mention of the celebration found in writing was in the year
1094. It stopped in 1797 when Venice lost it's
independence and became a dependent of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Private parties continued, but Venetians stopped any public
celebrations in protest at their status.
Old Carnival was more pagan, more violent, more licentious, and
more regulated to prevent dangerous abuses of the opportunity to
hide one's identity in public. In an age of greater violence,
no electricity, extreme poverty, and harsh living conditions,
allowing everyone to wear what amounted to a balaclava was
dangerous! Laws governed mask wearing all year round in
Venice, to ensure public safety. Many of those laws were
ignored during the period of Venice's economic decline, leading to
even greater licentiousness. Masks, or maschere, refers in Italian to
both a mask and a disguise. In Venitian it's more often called
bauta or bautta, which can refer to one of the most common mask
designs, or a whole disguise. But masks were commonly worn by persons socializing in Venice in
the evenings. People wished to hide their identities in a
society that was governed by strict social rules. Social shame
could kill a person's chances in life, and just about anything in
those socially repressive days could bring on social shame. If you read The Autobiography of Casanova, you'll see
numerous references to he and his female partner donning masks to
attend the Venetian Opera unchaperoned. Casanova is very careful to
protect his partners from shame, but even more careful to prevent
one of
his partners from discovering his other partners. Old Carnival was celebrated in the days leading up to Lent, the
Catholic season of fasting, prayer and donations to the poor.
The customs used for the celebrations were adopted from various
pagan festivals. Generally speaking, Old Carnival was a period of the year the
repressed people could let-it-all-hang-out; a pressure valve. Something similar
happens on the yearly visits to Lebanon that many Saudis take from
their highly repressive society. I've heard one Saudi call the
trip a 'chance to breathe freely for a few weeks' before returning
to the stifling atmosphere of Saudi Arabia. The Old celebrations ended on Shrove Tuesday, also called Martedi'
Grasso in Italian and Mardi Gras in French. Hence the
festival's commonly known name of Mardi Gras in former French
territories, like New Orleans in the U.S.A. As Venice's economy weakened after the discovery of the Americas,
and the growth of the Ottoman Empire, Carnival expanded to
up to six months of the year. This was to attract a tourist
trade of wealthy men who wanted to gamble, whore, and escape
responsibilities at home. During that time, Venice was
synonymous with sin, the Las Vegas of it's time. When Carnival was revived in Venice, a more artistic character
was conceived, while drawing selectively on the past traditions.
The current festivals include lots of theatrical presentations,
concerts, parades, shows and colorful costumes. It's as much
for tourists as it is for locals, just as it always was in the past,
too.
The article continues all about the costumes...
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Candida
Martinelli Established
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Carnival (Halloween and Commedia) Costumes
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This Fancy Feather Mask in black and white features a brightly reflective silver body and a magnificent top embellishment of black and white feathers, and black sequined trim. Marvelous for a carnival costume! This Black and White Feathered Mask features a body of short black feathers, seequined trim about the eyes and a magnificent crown of sleek black and gold feathers. This fancy mask features a flared white feathered body, magenta sequined trim about the eyes and two proudly curving peacock plumes on the crown. Black and White Mask This Black and Silver Mask on a stick with red flower accent is great with a Vampire Costume or a Dia de Los Muertos Costume, Spanish Costume, Mexican Costume, or for a Masquerade Ball outfit! This Magique Half Mask is available in black (MASK138), silver (MASK137), red (MASK136) and gold (MASK96). This Magique Half Mask is available in black (MASK138), silver (MASK137), red (MASK136) and gold (MASK96). Silver and white venetian mask with iridescent sequin trim. Iridescent blue butterfly eye mask Venetian Mask - Purple Green and Gold Jester Mask Venetian Half Mask with Hat Red/Gold Mask with Feathers Marquis Costume Mask - Renaissance Costume Accessories Rigid Plastic Half Mask. Pixie Butterfly Mesh Mask - Costume Masks This Shedevil Half Mask is held in place by an elastic string that goes around the head. This Harlequin Half Mask is available in black, white, red, silver and gold. This Harlequin Half Mask is available in black, white, red, silver and gold. This White and Silver Feathered Mask features a white sequined body with silver sequined accents, an opulent feather spray and three magnificent shining silver flowers. Perfect for an angel or christmas costume! This Onyx Pearl Feather Mask in Silver and Black features a richly sequined silver body and black trim, a sleek black feather spray and rosettes and two long pearly streamers. This magnificent Spanish Peacock Feather mask features a red sequined and jeweled body and gold trim, sweeping flare of red and peacock feathers and a gold rosette with streamers of red ribbon and gold beads. This Black and Grey Feather Mask features a subtly reflective black body, black sequined trim and a spray of short black feathers capped by sweeping charcoal grey plumes. Perfect for any masquerade or ghostly costume! This magnificent black mask features a sunburst in silver and gold across a black mask, a silver jewel embellishment and sweeping black plumes. This Black and White Feather Mask features a pristine white body, silver sequined trim and a striking sweep of black and white feathers embellished with a clear jewel. This Black and Gold Feather Mask features a plain black body accented by a dramatic spray of plumes from the crown and a delicate fan of peacock feather forming a veil over the face. This Hand Held silver and red mask with red feathers features a bright silver spangled body, a red sequined trim and a coy feathered rosette over a dramatic spray of red plume. This magnificent mask features a sparkling gold body, gold sequined trim and a sweeping spray of red and black iridescent feathers embellished by a sequined gold flower. This Feather Mask in Mardi Gras Colors features a sparkling gold body with blue sequined trim and a ruff of jaunty green and purple quills. Perfect for a mardi gras costume! This magnificent Feather Mask in Mardi Gras Colors features a body of delicate spotted feathers in green, yellow and purple and then flares out into a mane of long quils in the same colours, crowned by soft downy feathers and a spray of proud peacock feathers. Truly a singular way to finish off your mardi gras costume! This extravagent mask features a body of small spotted black and hot pink feathers and a magnificent crest of black, green and red feathers crowned by proud sprays of peacock plumes. Marvelous for mardi gras! This handsome deluxe mask is adult sized and features a black body with gold trim. This Deluxe Adult Black Mardi Gras Mask features gold trim and fancy floral beadwork. This Deluxe Adult Purple Mardi Gras Mask features gold trim, feathers and tassles. Deluxe Adult Gold Mystique Mask with black feathers and gold trim. Great for a mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Red Mystique Mask with feathers and gold trim features a beaded embellishment and an asymetrical line. This Deluxe Venetian Adult White Cat Mask with feathers and whiskers is great for any white cat costume, and also makes an excellent mardi gras mask! This Deluxe Adult Venetian Black Cat Mask with gold trim, a jeweled nose, plush and feather embellishment and whiskers. Great for a cat or madri gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Gold Mardi Gras Mask is the height of elegence and is sure to turn heads when paired with your mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Gold and Black Sequin Mask features diamond shapes in gold trim and sequins and dangling ribbons and sequin streamers. Great for a jester or mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Multicolor Sequin Mask features classic jester diamond designs in multicoloured sequins and dangling ribbons and sequins streamers. Great for a jester or mardi gras costume! Deluxe Black Mardi Gras Mask with lace and stones. This Deluxe Adult Black Sequin Mask with Stones features handsome black braid trim, sequined embellishments, bead fringe and rhinestone accents. Truly a mask for the royalty of carnival or mardi gras! This Deluxe Adult Fancy Gold Mask with gold trim is ideal for a mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Venetian Gold Butterfly Mask features gold braid trim, silver braid and silver rhinestone accents, and a silver central embellishment. Great for a mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Adult Gold Venetian Butterfly Mask features gold braided trim and rhinestone and gold embellishments, and a gold sequined rosette. Great for a butterfly, carnival and mardi gras costume. This Deluxe Adult Venetian Black Cat Mask features a complex design, white braided trim, jetty jewels and marabou 'fur'. Perfect for a cat costume or a mardi gras costume! This Deluxe Mardi Gras Mask on Stick features the purple mask with green, gold and pink sequins and a spray of green, blue and gold feathers and matching streamers. This Deluxe Adult Black Mystique Mask features silver reflective dots, black sleek feathers, shining silver trim and an exotic dangling bead embellishment. This Black and White Domino Mask is of a classic design and is perfecto for completing your harlequin or mardi gras costume! This Black and White Burst Eye Mask will add a dramatic touch to any carnival, harlequin or mardi gras costume! This Black and White Checkered Domino Mask looks fabulous when paired with a carnival, mardi gras or harlequin costume! This Black and White Zebra Mask is a striking and unusual piece and would go smashingly with a harlequin, carnival or mardi gras costume! This opulent Pink Lace Mask features black lace overlayed a pink body, a sheer frilled trim, a black satin rosette and lace and satin ribbon streamers. This gorgeous Black & White Mask features criss-crossing ribbons studded with clear jewels. Ideal for a harlequin or mardi gras costume! This fancy Black Feather Mask features a sunburst of gold braid and shining black ribbon on a matte black base, a jeweled diadem and a spray of sleek black feathers. Ideal for a mardi gras or carnival costume! This classic Red & Black Venetian Mask features gold curlicues and red anc black diamon shapes on a créme background. Perfect for a harlequin or mardi gras costume! This Exotic Venetian Witch Mask features a bronze and purple colour finish over a white base and includes an eyemask portion and hat portion, edged with decorative tulle. Wonderful for a witch costume or a mardi gras costume! Venetian Mardi Gras Mask - Gold trimmed jester mask with musical note accents. Venetian Mardi Gras Mask - Green Purple and Gold Deluxe Black and Gold Jester Mask This festive Venetian half mask is two colored and a perfect fit for your made grass or masquerade costume. A non-Italy article by Candida:
A book that helped keep WWII soldiers sane and
humane.
A non-Italy
offer: Nerja, Spain Beachfront
Apartment to Rent
Buon carnevale!

Viva Italia
Masterprint
AllPosters.com
Mask and Costume, Venice, Italy
Photographic Print
An Italian Carnevale Moment
Mask and Costume, Venice, Italy
Photographic PrintCarnival - Carnivale - Mardi
Gras
The Last Day of the Carnival, St. Mark's Square, Venice
Giclee Print
AllPosters.com
Ladies and Gentlemen in Carnival Costume in the Ridotto, Venice
Giclee Print
AllPosters.com
Venice, a Masked Couple
Giclee Print
AllPosters.com
Giovanni Giacomo Casanova Chevalier de Saingalt Italian Adventurer in Carnival Mask Venice
Giclee Print
AllPosters.com
Carnival at Venice
Giclee Print
AllPosters.com
Reproduction of a Poster Advertising the 1896 Carnival at the Theatre De L'Opera
Giclee Print
Chéret, Jules
AllPosters.com
Mask at Carnival, Venice, Italy
Photographic Print
Yes Italia Rai Uno
Streaming on your PC
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Mask Gallery (to buy)
from Costume Craze

Red Half Mask with Feathers - $13.73 
Black and White Feather Mask - $8.25 
Black and White Feather Mask - $6.05 
White Feather Mask - $4.01 
Black and White Mask - $12.09 
Black and Silver Mask - $9.90 
Golden Flower Mask - $8.78 
Black Magique Half Mask - $4.39 
Silver Magique Half Mask - $2.20 
Womens White and Silver Venetian Mask - $11.53 
Butterfly Eye Mask - $6.03 
Venetian Mask - $32.95 
Gold Venetian Half Mask with Hat - $16.48 
Red/Gold Mask with Feathers - $8.78 
Marquis Costume Mask - $4.82 
Marquise Costume Mask - $4.82 
Pixie Butterfly Mesh Mask - $5.72 
Shedevil Black and Red Half Mask - $8.78 
Venetian Mask - $17.55 
White Harlequin Half Mask - $2.20 
Red Harlequin Half Mask - $2.20 
Winter's Eve Feather Mask - $13.19 
Onyx Pearl Feather Mask - $6.60 
Spanish Peacock Feather Mask - $14.29 
Black and Grey Feather Mask - $6.60 
Black and Silver Feather Mask - $7.15 
Black and White Feather Mask - $6.05 
Black and Gold Feather Mask - $7.15 
Red and Silver Mask - $6.05 
Red and Gold Feathered Mask - $6.60 
Mardi Gras Feather Mask - $12.09 
Mardi Gras Feather Mask - $8.79 
Peacock Feather Mask - $19.79 
Deluxe Black and Gold Mask - $15.35 
Deluxe Black Mardi Gras Mask - $7.68 
Deluxe Purple Mardi Gras Mask - $8.23 
Deluxe Gold Mystique Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Red Mystique Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Adult Venetian White Cat Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Venetian Black Cat Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Gold Mardi Gras Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Gold and Black Sequin Mask - $9.35 
Deluxe Multicolor Sequin Mask - $9.88 
Deluxe Black Mardi Gras Mask - $8.25 
Deluxe Black Sequin Mask with Stones - $9.90 
Deluxe Fancy Venetian Gold Mask - $11.55 
Deluxe Venetian Gold Butterfly Mask - $10.45 
Deluxe Gold Venetian Mask - $9.90 
Deluxe Venetian Black Cat Mask - $11.00 
Deluxe Mardi Gras Mask on Stick - $9.67 
Deluxe Black Mystique Mask - $8.25 
Black and White Domino Mask - $6.05 
Black and White Burst Eye Mask - $6.05 
Black and White Checkered Domino Mask - $6.05 
Black and White Zebra Mask - $9.35 
Pink Lace Mask - $11.55 
Black and White Mask - $9.90 
Black Feather Mask - $11.00 
Red & Black Venetian Mask - $11.55 
Exotic Venetian Witch Mask - $20.90 
Venetian Mask - $21.43 
Venetian Mask - $18.68 
Deluxe Black and Gold Jester Mask - $16.48 
Red Venetian Mask with Hat - $17.03 
Two Color Venetian Mask - $12.65