Hey Guys,
Today I am taking you on a journey to the heart of
festivity in Southern Europe. Carnevale.
Carnevale is an Italian festival; the
word originates from the Latin saying, “To remove meat” or “Farewell to meat”.
In
2014 the festivities began on the 15th of February and ended on the
4th of March.
The last day of Carnevale is called Martedi Grasso or Mardi Gras.
It is
also known as Fat (shrove) Tuesday and is the last day of Lent.
The celebrations
are amazing on Martedi Grasso and Catholics
everywhere come to celebrate before Lent begins and they have to give up the
temptations.
During the time of Carnevale there are parades, dancing, lots of eating, music and making of
somewhat colourful and creative masks.
The parades include huge floats with
riders dressed in bright and bold costumes with lots of dazzle.
The floats themselves are decorated immensely and
often look better than the people even.
The parades usually have themes that
can link to political or social talk at that time.
Though Carnevale is thought to have always been a Christian
festival it actually rooted from the Ancient Romans and even Egyptians!
In the
middle ages the church after trying to get rid of it altogether decided to add
it to their calendar
When it originally began it started Boxing Day and lasted
SIX WEEKS!
The people of Venice put on happy coloured costumes and performed in
the theatres and on the streets.
The tradition of Carnevale masks began with
the Venetian noblemen trying to amuse everyone by organising events.
Ever since
the festival has grown and grown till it has become what it is today a wonderful
multicultural celebration bringing together many, many people.
Jester, Dama and Captain Scaramouche are three Venetian mask
characters, they have different personalities that show through their
decorating and way the wearer acts while dressed up.
The Jester influenced theatre around Europe and was
originally thought to be blessed by God with a childlike madness and humour.
The
mentally handicapped in the middle ages where sometimes given employment to
behave in an amusing way.
They are recognised mostly from their distinctive
hats that are floppy with three points.
They have bells at the end that jingle
every time moved.
Dama presents a more elegant sophisticated air for
ladies.
Mainly laden in jewels and golden designs these masks were mainly worn
by the aristocracy.
These days it is one of the most beautiful and popular
masks used in Carnevale.
Captain Scaramouche is a boasting and cowardice character
that talks of his part in wars but not of how at the first sign of danger he
runs.
Captain is known to dress in a cape with a sword ready to kill. He is
either a young man ready for adventure or an old mariner.
La Fine
