FROM FEBRUARY 4 TO 21, 2012
CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2012
LIFE IS A THEATRE, EVERYBODY DRESS UP!
Carnival is disguise and transgression, but also another way of interpreting oneself.
When you wear a mask, you always discard another: the mask of everyday life.
The idea of wearing a mask is to become someone else, to give oneself a new image; it is a regenerating, creative process.
Carnival is the ‘free zone’ where you can be who you want to be.
A regenerative cultural content is a response to the general crisis that disappoints, depletes and weakens us even as regards our worth.
Carnival gives you a chance to rid yourself of the negativity, anger, anxiety, fear and prejudice and become a new you.
The City turns into a grand theatre where everyone plays a different role to reveal a new self. Carnival wants to return to its nature as a city happening, a continuous and widespread event that lasts well beyond the days of recent tradition, that invades new places, finds new stages in the cultural spaces of the city.
A collective performance; indeed the greatest world performance, where each participant has his own role, in his own show with his own audience.
VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER 2012
The first Sunday of Carnival, the festival of all Venetians, dedicated to citizens and guests of the lagoon city. The water parade of the Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere rowing club association sails along the entire Grand Canal until it reaches the popular Rio di Cannaregio, where it parades in front of rejoicing crowds gathered on the banks. When the boats arrive, the food and wine stands open up, offering the public ‘cicheti’, typical Venetian savoury specialities and traditional Carnival sweets par excellence: fritole and galani.
With the participation of A.E.P.E. – Association of licensed businesses serving food and drink and the Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere rowing club association.
Commedia dell’arte by Pantakin Teatro.
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MASK CONTEST 2012
The most awaited contest of the Carnival returns to the ‘grand theatre’ in St. Mark’s Square. Hundreds of competitors will be parading on stage, challenging each other with their costumes, masks and wigs.
Great expectations for the final!
FLIGHT OF THE ANGEL 2012
The “Flight of the Angel” Giulia Selero (Maria of the 2011 edition) has been renamed the “Reebok Angel Flight“, with all the characteristics of a real title sponsorship. In fact, “Maria” Giulia Selero, in addition to a beautiful costume specially made by Atelier Nicolao, will be wearing a pair of sparkling Reebok RealFlex!
PARADE OF THE “MARIE” AND FESTA DELLE MARIE IN ST. MARK’S SQUARE
The traditional parade of the “Marie” starts from San Pietro di Castello at 2:00 pm and reaches St. Mark’s Square at around 4:00 pm, where the 12 selected young ladies will parade accompanied by the historical procession.
Directed by Bruno Tosi. Historical parade by C.E.R.S. with the collaboration of the Associazione Amici del Carnevale di Venezia and Associazione. Internazionale per il Carnevale di Venezia.
CASINOʼ BURLESQUE 2012
CASINOʼ BURLESQUE 2012 – The official dinner show of the Carnival of Venice 2012
An unforgettable evening in the name of burlesque and finesse, in an exclusive location, with the presence of artists of an international level who will be performing at Ca ‘Vendramin Calergi.
FLIGHT OF THE DONKEY 2012
The traditional event that is held in Mestre; a parody of the Flight of the Angel in St. Mark’s Square, will again this year have a “star” from the entertainment industry in the role of the donkey ‘flying down’ from the municipal tower.
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE 2012
A novelty for this year’s Carnival of Venice 2012! National gymnast, Fabrizia D ‘Ottavio, will be the Eagle of this year’s event. Fabrizia was born in Chieti in 1985. She has been world champion in artistic gymnastics and won the silver medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
FLIGHT OF THE LION 2012
A highly suggestive ritual to close the Carnival.
The farewell is intended to pay the greatest homage to the Winged Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of our City which, will be painted on a large scenic cloth and descend from the bell tower over the public in the square. To welcome him on the stage in the centre of St. Mark’s Square will be the verses of St. Mark’s anthem sung by a Venetian choir, the twelve young Venetian ladies, the “Marie”, accompanied by as many cadets in full uniform, who will salute the flag of Venice.
THE SILENT ROWING PARADE 2012
The Carnival closes symbolically, for the second year running, with the “Silent Rowing Parade”; a silent procession of gondolas rowing from Rialto Bridge to St. Mark’s basin. When the procession reaches Punta della Dogana, the symbolic bull, an astonishing stage setting, will take off on a barge heading towards the basin to celebrate the symbolic sacrifice of the bull.
