Back to the past: a glimpse of 16th century glamour at Venice Carnival party

Record ID: 1659696

  • Title: Back to the past: a glimpse of 16th century glamour at Venice Carnival party
  • Date: 13th February 2022
  • Summary: VARNA, BULGARIA (FEBRUARY 12, 2022) (REUTERS) DOORS WITH LETTERING READING (Bulgarian/English): "RETRO MUSEUM" OPENING LETTERING READING (Bulgarian): "RETRO MUSEUM 1944 - 1989" CLASSIC CARS AND MEMORABILIA ON DISPLAY IN MUSEUM SKODA LOGO ON FRONT OF CAR, MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA VARIOUS OF CARS ON DISPLAY 'CHAIKA' OFFICIAL CAR, USED BY SOVIET LEADERS, ON DISPLAY INTERIOR OF
  • Embargoed: 27th February 2022 09:49
  • Keywords: Italy Venice carnival costumes party
  • Location: VENICE, ITALY
  • City: VENICE, ITALY
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Europe,Living/Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues,Editors' Choice
  • Reuters ID: LVA002FYIBG3R
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:In the lagoon city of Venice you don't need a time machine to be transported back to the era of the Doges and the Minuet.
    The Monaco Grand Canal hotel, located inside Palazzo Dandolo, a building dating back to 1200, on Saturday (February 12) night hosted a private carnival party with 52 people who paid 300 euros (480 euros costume included) to attend the event.
    Revellers of different nationalities were able to enjoy the dazzling atmosphere of 16th century Venice, accompanied by an orchestra playing minuets.
    For one evening, the participants left their FFP2 masks outside and wore the splendid carnival masks that have made Venice famous throughout the world.
    And atmospheres a la Stanley Kubrick's 'Eyes wide shut' filled the night with fun and culture.
    "I'm here for the enjoyment, I'm here for drinks, I'm here for dancing and I'm here to enjoy the Venetian tradition," a reveller from the United Kingdom Carl Roberts told Reuters.
    "Absolutely, we had the opportunity to get dressed up and we said why not?", said Sarah Kimble from Canada.
    This year's Carnival celebrations marked a slow return to normality after the coronavirus pandemic took a hit on the two previous editions.
    The 2020 Venice carnival was curtailed when the pandemic broke out in Italy in February that year and the event that usually draws tourists from around the world was cancelled the following year as the government sought to contain infections.
    Italy's rate of new COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations has been gradually declining in recent weeks, leading Rome to lift this week an obligation to wear facemasks outdoors under most circumstances.
    "We are out of time here, out of COVID, out of everything, it's just a fabulous night," Elodie Sagot from Paris said.
    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.
    The use of masks in Venice has several historic origins. In the 18th century masks were used by noblemen in order to keep anonymity whilst voting on council matters.
    Some masks were used to allow people to avoid the bad smell of the canals or if plague had hit the city. Others, more ornately decorated, were used only during carnival season.
    The Carnival is due to run until March 1.
    (Production: Gabriele Pileri, Fabiano Franchitti)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2022. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register