EVENTS IN VENICE
CARNIVAL OF VENICE
This event has very ancient origins: it seems in fact that its first celebration was in 1296 when the highest personalities of the Republic decided to celebrate the day before the "Quaresima".
During the Serenissima the Carnival lasted six weeks; in that period Carnival had its highest point of glory, becoming famous all around Europe and making Venice centre of entertainment and pastime. 
During the Carnival, social classes were completely reversed; a poor could become a noble and a noble could pretend to be an everyday person.
It isn't truth that Carnival means "reversing all standards and ordinary things", that is to say being just for a while away from social conventions.
The celebrations began with the so called "Volo dell'Angelo" (Angel's Fly) today known as "Volo della Colombina". In the past, it consisted in a series of acrobatic movements executed by a man who was tied up by a rope; he had to go through the rope from St. Mark's Basilica to the Doge's Palace. Then he had to give to the Doge flowers and poems. Surely a very adrenalin performance to see!!
The last day of the Carnival it's called Martedì Grasso, and it's still a tradition to burn the symbol of Carnival in St. Mark's Square. That's a metaphor of all evils which in this way are kept away from the Lagoon.
Probably not all the people know at the same time a "controcarnival" was wanted by Church, which organised processions in order to absolve Carnival's sin.
Today Carnival represents a very fascinating event for tourists coming from abroad. On one hand you can dip into an atmosphere having the traditional customs of the past kept intact for years, and on the other hand you can also have fun with the several animations all around Venice.
CARNIVAL NEXT DATES:- 2008 25th January - 5th February;
- 2009 13th February - 24th February;
- 2010 5th February - 16th February.
VENETIAN MASKS
PANTALONE
Pantalone is one of the most famous characters of the Commedia dell'arte. He represents the typical Venetian Merchant of the XVI century.
The name seems to derive from the action of "planting the Lion's flag" into the grove when Venetian militaries won a battle: pianta-Leone panta-Leone. Others think that "Pantaleone" comes from a Greek clown mentioned in the works of Atheneus.
Known also as Magnifico, Pantaleone has snug tights, a black-hooked-nose mask, a little beard and a bag to which he hangs a knife ("Pisoltese") used by Venetian Merchants.
As for his character, he is a heartbreaker always hunting preys such as courtesans, servants and young ladies.
The Gnaga it's another typical Venetian Mask. It's has a form of a female camouflage; the mask covers eyes and nose in order to appear more feminine. During the Serenissima it was specially used by homosexuals who went around Venice's streets getting a very womanly look.
BAUTAThe Bauta is a completely white mask. Very often a black cloak is worn with the mask.
It is used both by men and women. Married women were forced to use it when they went to the theater, but it wasn't required for young females. Its shape allows the face to be completely covered.
The Bauta was mostly used in order to keep identity a secret during the Carnival.
The Moreta is a feminine mask. It was originally French, but the Venetians started to use it because of its elegance and polish. It was made of black and white velvet with veils of tulle on its side.
VENICE HISTORICAL REGATTA - Regata Storica
The historical Regatta is celebrated every first Sunday of September and it's one of the most appreciated events by Venetians being the most important moment of the agonistic season of Venetian rowing clubs.
This extraordinary typical Venetian sport competition was born in the far 1315 in order to give 
homage to military victories as well as to the Queen ofCypro Caterina Cornaro who signed the beginning of Serenissima's supremacy on the Mediterranean Sea.
- the corteo storico (historical parade);
- the Regata (the Regatta).
Regatta starts with the traditional procession on water of the boats Bissone, Bucintoro and the boats of the Venetian rowing clubs.
The first race after the parade is between young rowers on very technical boats. Then it comes the time when women have to row the "Mascarete" a special boat much lighter than the ordinary ones.
The third race sees as protagonists men on six-oared boats named "Caorline"; today they are only used in occasion of the festivity.
The race between experienced rowers on very light two-oared boats (Gondolini) to win the ambitious Regatta's route is the most emotional moment of the competition. The winners receive the ambitious red flags, the rowers that finish second, third and fourth receive respectively white, green and blue flags.
THE REGATTA'S ROUTE: Starts at Riva degli Schiavoni passing through the Grand Canal arriving to the St. Lucia Station then the boats come back towards the floating platform near Ca' Foscari where the winners are proclaimed.
PALIO DELLE ANTICHE REPUBBLICHE MARINARE
The Palio of the Ancient Maritime Republics (Venice, Pisa, Amalfi, Genoa) the most important Italian ports in the medieval times, takes place in turn in the Lagoon, in the Arno, on the Mediterranean Sea. As for Venice, the festivity is dedicated to the Queen Caterina Corsaro, who once donated the island of Cypro to the Serenissima.
The highest Venetian offices (Doge, Senators, Ambassadors) unthread during the parade. After the procession, the race between the four Republics begins. four boats named "Galeoni" representing the Republics, vie with each other for winning the ambitious price, which consists in a medieval banner (the palio).
The winners take it till next year when the palio passes into the hands of other winners.
REDENTORE (every third Sunday of July)
The Festivity of Redentore it's celebrated every third Sunday of July, and it's both a religious and a profane festival much beloved by Venetians.
It reminds the end of epidemic plague in the second half of XVII century. History tells the plague was taken back from the Orient due to the commercial trades.
Doge Venier promised to built a new Church whenever Serenissima had managed to escape the plague. When it vanished, Doge kept his promise committing the project of the church to Palladio in 1592.
The former church was made of wood but very quickly concluded according to the Palladio's design.
Every year in such recurrence numerous boats decorated with lights leave from the bridge of St. Mark Square towards the Church. People by foot use the apposite bridge (provided by Municipality) assembled on floating platforms that connects Venice to the island of Giudecca.
This way, Venetians who don't have a boat can reach the Church of Redentore by foot and enjoy the festivity drinking wine and eating the traditional dish "Saor".
The celebration begins in the morning and ends at midnight when coloured fireworks illuminate the whole St. Mark's area with its beautiful buildings.
Nowadays festivity of Redentore it's also an occasion for young people to spend a pleasant and romantic daytime on boat together their respective couple. It's possible to remain in St. Mark's Square, but it's sure that Venetians prefer to stay in the island of Giudecca. There, families take a seat at open air and eat near the shore or celebrate festivity directly on the boat.
VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
The Venice Film Festival is held from the last week of August to the first week of September.
It's the oldest European film festival that started back in 1932.
The festival is a part of the Venice Biennale, a major exhibition of contemporary art held every two years. 
The "Leone d'Oro" (Golden Lion) was introduce in 1949, and it is the highest recognition of the cinematographic competition that it's awarded to the best screened film. The award it's a replica of the Golden Lion in St. Mark's Square.
It's a very important artistic recognition along with the "Palma d'Oro" in Cannes and "Orso d'Oro" in Berlin, often in countertrend with American Oscars. With the pass of time The Venice Film Festival became both an attractive celebration and a launch window for the new actors.
The Festival was suspended during the 2nd World War and started again in 1946 when The Southerner by Renoir won the first price.
No prizes were awarded between 1969 and 1979 as a result to the 1968 Lion awarded to the radically German film "Die Artisen in der Zirkuskuppel: Ratlos" that created a serious a political debates.
Aside from being an important award ceremony, it has also become a fashion runway for celebrities.
MARATONA DI VENEZIA
The Marathon of Venice is an annual running competition that its held sometime in the last two weeks of October.
The first edition was in 1986 when 712 people participated to the competition giving a great push to the less famous Italian sports.
The Marathon starts at Villa Pisani in Stra a village near Padua. The route goes on N.11 road then passes across Fiesso d'Artico, Dolo, Mira, Oriago, Malcontenta in the direction of Mestre. After 5 km, the Marathon continues in St. Giuliano's park for about 3 km before reaching Venice.
Ponte della Libertà (Freedom's Bridge) connects country to the city. It's surely the most difficult tract of the Marathon; it brings to the port area in the direction of the old city centre passing through the 14 famous bridges St. Mark's Square, Riva of Schiavoni, Riva of Ca' di Dio, Riva of San Biagio.
The arrival is fixed at Riva of sette Martiri. The total distance of the marathon is 42 km (26 miles). To participate in The Venice Marathon you must be at least 18 years old and have the member card of FEDAL.
Read more information:www.venicemarathon.itFESTA DELLA MADONNA DELLA SALUTE
(21st of november)
The “Virgin’s Celebration” it's a Catholic event that doens't attract many tourist who don't practice the religion. This celebration evokes the terrifying epidemic plague from 1629 to 1631 when German and French troops carried the plague to Mantua in 1629.
There were many victims (it seems more than 11.000 only in November).
Venetians, to protect themselves from the plague, decided to build this basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who for various reasons was believed to be the protector of the Republic.
The project was given to the architect Baldassarre Longhena. Venice wanted a new majestic church which had to celebrate the Virgin Mary and the Serenissima. The Church was completed in 1681.
Today, each 21st of November the festivity is celebrated consisting of building a temporary bridge of boats that cross the Grand Canal connecting San Moisè and Santa Maria del Giglio. Thousands of people cross the bridge each year to the main altar to thank and to ask the Virgin Mary to intercede for their health.
