Tuesday,
February 05, 2008
Carnevale,
began with Romans, then to Italians, to Paris, then to New Orleans, and
The
ANNOTICO Report
Carnival starts
around two weeks before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday
(Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras ), the day before Ash Wednesday.
The history of Carnevale and the Mardi Gras began
with the Ancient Romans who celebrated the Lupercalia,
a circus like festival not entirely unlike the Mardi Gras we are familiar with
today, in mid February. When
The Carnevale became important particularly in
The Parisians,then adopted The Carnevale and Mardi Gras in the Middle Ages, who seem not
to pay it much regard currently, but exported it to
The modern
Brazilian Carnival finds its roots in Rio de Janeiro in
the 1845s, when the city's bourgeoisie imported the practice of holding balls
and masquerade parties from Paris. It originally mimicked
the European form of the festival, over time acquiring elements derived from
African and Amerindian cultures.In the late 19th
century, the parade of groups of costumed people
through the streets playing music and dancing, including both a
percussion or music group and an entourage of revellers,
was introduced.
Carnevale
ItaliansRUs
by Anthony Parente
Febuary 4, 2008
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The Carnevale
is one of the long standing traditions of the city of Venice. There is some question
as to when the first Carnevale actually took place.
It was either during the 11th century when
No matter when
the first Carnevale actually took place this event
has turned into one of the greatest festivities in the world. One of the great
traditions associated with the Carnevale is the
costumes and in particular the masks worn by
the people. Masks became such an integral part that the artisans that created
them were even recognized with their own guild in 1436.
Throughout the
history of the Carnevale many masks have been worn.
Some masks only
existed briefly and can only be found in art work. While
others have passed the test of time and have been worn for centuries with some
slight modifications. Masks can range from your favorite pet to aliens
to figures of the Renaissance period. Of all the types of masks & costumes
the Arlecchino, Pantalone,
Pulcinella and El Dotor seem to be the most popular.
The Carnevale is a great opportunity for people to put on a
costume and forget who they are. There are no worries of social class. You can
be who ever you want to and enjoy the festivities to the fullest. The rich
could mingle with the poor and in some cases men & women could go around
and have sexual interludes with whomever they encountered without ever
revealing their true identity.
If you are in Venice during the Carnevale
and you are in need of a mask don't panic. You should be able to find them in
almost every corner you visit or store you shop in. If you can't attend and
want to get one for a souvenir you can try La Fondazione
or Masks of Venice.
In recent years
there has been a revival in the creation of masks, which has carried over to
the people of
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