FROM FEBRUARY 15 TO MARCH 4, 2014
CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2014
FANTASTICAL NATURE
Out of a fairy-tale, wonderful and fantastical fantasy around animal and plant nature.
The Carnival of fantasy and nature.
A global Carnival because every culture, since its origins, has drawn on the heritage of fantasy and fairy-tales as life’s narrative metaphor. A Carnival of current events because the naturalistic fairy-tale is the way in which we celebrate the profound themes of the relationship between human beings and the environment: the woods, valleys, seas, mountains, lagoons and mysterious all living creatures, animals and plants, that inhabit them.
Everyone knows that we have a need to tell mysterious naturalistic stories through fairy-tales. Planetary cultures, first in the form of myths, then those of man-made nature, which we find so much of in the world’s folk-tale traditions, unfold an infinite field of symbols and characters around the creation and origin of life, of atmospheric elements, of plant beings and animal creatures. At Carnival, we rediscover individual and urban masquerades, the emphasis of fantasy, popular and cultured, esoteric and didactic, its relationship between man and the environment. Venice is a miracle of the imagination. An interface city of the East and the West, where the myths – and the fears – of monstrous and amazing creatures from overseas were translated into narration, painting, architectural ornamentation, to then be exported to Europe along the canals and roads combed by merchants. A fairy-tale world fuelled by foreign scents and flavours, developed in the secret sounds of languages that merchants brought from the East and Northern Europe, documented in the idioms of the Princes and travellers who faced their long journeys to Venice, the leader of civilization.
VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER
Imaginative marine creatures take possession of the Cannaregio Canal in an original aquatic event. The jubilation of music entitled “Battaglia delle due Bestie Musicanti” (Battle of the two Musical Beasts“). Mysterious sea creatures floating on the water evoking mythological challenges with rhythms and melodies.
VENETIAN FESTIVAL PART TWO
The Venetian festival continues on Sunday in Cannaregio with the water parade of the Remiere and the food and wine routes with Venetian specialties.
FLIGHT OF THE ANGEL
The exciting flight of the Angel of the Carnival officially opens the Carnival celebrations in St. Mark’s Square. Welcomed in the crowded parterre by the groups of historical re-enactments in costume, melting the tension of the flight in the embrace of the Doge and the public, electrified by the scenographic show that always celebrates the Carnival of Venice, which is aired even on national and international networks. The Angel of this year’s edition is Julia Nasi, winner of last year’s “Festa delle Marie”.
CARNIVAL AT THE ARSENALE
An extraordinary firework display and dancing fountains on the Arsenale basin, preceded by a fascinating theatrical prologue on the history of the place to start the Carnival at the Arsenale, accompanied by street performers and live music concerts.
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE
The flight from St. Mark’s bell tower to the stage of the Gran Teatro will again be performed by a special guest, giving new emotions to the Carnival audience. This year our eagle will be Carolina Kostner, bronze Olympic medallist at the Sochi Olympics! The Eagle costume is made by the Pietro Longhi Atelier.
FLIGHT OF THE DONKEY
The performer of the flight is Federica Zanin, from Mestre, skater of the Cristal Skating Team of Sarcedo (Vicenza), winner of the silver medal (large groups category) at the world roller skating championship in Taipei.
AWARD CEREMONY OF THE FESTA DELLE MARIE AND FLIGHT OF THE LION
The award ceremony with the coronation of the winner of the “Festa delle Marie”, Marianna Serena and the Flight of the Lion will close this year’s Carnival season
