Закрытие карнавала в Венеции / Carnival Finale in Venice
- 5 лет назад
The first order of the day was to crown the carnival queen, The Maria. But this is not a bikini-clad pageant of beauties. The celebration dates back to the 10th century, long before carnival celebrations began, and is linked to the ceremony to mark the purification of the Virgin Mary.
Christians believe that exactly 40 days after the birth of Jesus, on February 2nd, Mary went to the temple for ritual purification after having given birth, as was the tradition in those days.
Venice celebrated the day by selecting 12 beautiful brides from amongst the poorest families most in need of help. The brides were blessed at the church of San Pietro in Castello and given dowries by the nobles of the city. The Doge, or President, also leant them jewels to wear and the girls processed to the Palazzo Ducale in St Mark’s Square to dine with the Doge. Meanwhile food was also distributed to the citizens so the whole city could celebrate.
Venetian legend says that in 946 AD (according to the official website of the festival) or 844, or 943 or 973 (according to other sources!) pirates from Dalmatia entered the church during the blessing and kidnapped the 12 brides, dressed in their borrowed jewels. The city was furious! The Doge promptly organised a search party to track down the pirates and rescue the girls, catching up with them at the port of Caorle, north of the Venetian lagoon on the Veneto coast. The pirates were summarily executed and their bodies flung into the water so they couldn’t be given a proper burial. The girls were rescued and returned to Venice and since that day the site has been known as the Porto delle Donzale, or the Port of the Ladies.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors more had come for the carnival experience, watching acrobats, musicians and traditional dancers on the Grand Theatre stage, walking the streets of the city and voting for the most beautiful masks. Creativity, celebration and the first cherry icecream of the year as the revelries closed in the sun-kissed St Mark’s Square.
Christians believe that exactly 40 days after the birth of Jesus, on February 2nd, Mary went to the temple for ritual purification after having given birth, as was the tradition in those days.
Venice celebrated the day by selecting 12 beautiful brides from amongst the poorest families most in need of help. The brides were blessed at the church of San Pietro in Castello and given dowries by the nobles of the city. The Doge, or President, also leant them jewels to wear and the girls processed to the Palazzo Ducale in St Mark’s Square to dine with the Doge. Meanwhile food was also distributed to the citizens so the whole city could celebrate.
Venetian legend says that in 946 AD (according to the official website of the festival) or 844, or 943 or 973 (according to other sources!) pirates from Dalmatia entered the church during the blessing and kidnapped the 12 brides, dressed in their borrowed jewels. The city was furious! The Doge promptly organised a search party to track down the pirates and rescue the girls, catching up with them at the port of Caorle, north of the Venetian lagoon on the Veneto coast. The pirates were summarily executed and their bodies flung into the water so they couldn’t be given a proper burial. The girls were rescued and returned to Venice and since that day the site has been known as the Porto delle Donzale, or the Port of the Ladies.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors more had come for the carnival experience, watching acrobats, musicians and traditional dancers on the Grand Theatre stage, walking the streets of the city and voting for the most beautiful masks. Creativity, celebration and the first cherry icecream of the year as the revelries closed in the sun-kissed St Mark’s Square.