FROM JANUARY 23 TO FEBRUARY 9, 2016
CARNIVAL OF VENICE 2016
CREATUM
CREATUM, The Carnival of trades, as renamed for this year’s edition embraces Venice’s most authentic soul by involving the metropolitan area. The theme was chosen by the new artistic director of the Carnival of Venice, Marco Maccapani. The 2016 edition is a centuries-old symbiosis with the Venetian Republic and its secrets and St. Mark’s Square become a “Village of Wonders”, conceived by the set designer of il Teatro La Fenice Theatre, Massimo Checchetto, in which the artisans with their crafts tell us the unique history of Venice, accompanied by the performances of the Fury of Harlequin organized by the Teatro Stabile del Veneto and the music by La Fenice with the lyrical repertoire of the Brass Operà.
The streets and squares also become places of musical and theatrical performances along with the mainland, where Carnival will also be spreading, making this festival a spectacular showcase of the age-old tradition of Venetian civilization. In the meantime, preparations and re-enactments will re-propose the relationship between Venice and the trades, right in the factory par excellence, the Arsenale. Great involvement of many professionals in the area such as the set designer Massimo Checchetto, the costumes of Atelier Nicolao and Francesco Briggi’s Atelier Longhi, and collaborations with the trade organizations: Consorzio Vetro Artistico di Murano Promovetro, El Felze, Compagnia l’Arte dei Mascareri, Politecnico Calzaturiero del Brenta, and the historic weavers Fortuny, Bevilacqua an Rubelli.
VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER – PART ONE
Grand Opening of the Carnival of Venice 2016: “The enchantment of rediscovered arts. An exciting encounter with the Venetian Traditions “. Rio di Cannaregio will become a stage for water and air to celebrate the Arts and Crafts of Venice and its lands.
A magical weave of sounds, artists and colours that intertwine on the water to surprise us and make us rediscover the taste of living the simplicity and the strength of our traditions.
VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER – PART TWO
The traditional masquerade water procession along the Grand Canal to set off celebrations in Rio di Cannaregio with Venetian specialties offered by members of the AEPE.
Festa delle Marie
The traditional “Festa delle Marie” recalls the gifts that the Doge brought annually to twelve beautiful and humble Venetian maidens, generously preparing them for marriage with doge’s’ jewels. The historical parade, accompanied by the historical groups in period costume of C.E.R.S. and the Associazione Amici del Carnevale di Venezia and Associazione Internazionale per il Carnevale di Venezia will be setting off from San Piero di Castello and arriving on the stage in St. Mark’s Square for the official presentation of Carnival to the public.
THE BANQUET OF THE KING OR OF CHYPRE POWDER
The official Dinner Show of the Carnival of Venice: the experience that makes you experience the atmosphere of the ancient glories of the Republic of Venice, the hub of the then-known world, when the Arsenale sparkled with statues, decorations and fires, celebrating the King of France, King Henry III of Valois, who was amazed and astonished by it. It is Henry III of France himself (played by Sean Lomax, Whistler) who will welcome you in the area of “The Club“, narrating his visit to Venice and the times in which he visited the Arsenale, alternating the presentation with arias and opera music, surprising you by his interpretation. Lulled by the narration, he will be introducing you to the pleasures of the palate by chatting with the diners during the gala dinner.
FLIGHT OF THE ANGEL
With a crowd of 100,000 people, the Angel of this year’s Carnival of Venice, Irene Rizzi will be descending from St. Mark’s bell tower wearing a wonderful costume from Atelier Stefano Nicolao. The Doge of Venice and the city authorities will be welcoming her.
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE
The bass player descends over a colourful square filled with umbrellas singing the Anthem of Joy, regardless of the rain like the thousands of people crowding the square. At the stroke of 12:00, Saturnino Celani, one of the most famous Italian bass players, will be descending from St. Mark’s bell tower, interpreting the Flight of the Eagle in an innovative way dressed in a colourful costume designed and made by Francesco Briggi’s Atelier Pietro Longhi. The costume will give a great visual impact that will make everyone forget the grey sky, enlivening the Flight of the Eagle, which will be made even more unique by the live musical performance, the absolute first of its kind of the Venetian carnival flights.
FLIGHT OF THE DONKEY - SPECIAL EDITION
Does our Donkey fly? Does it skate? The Flight of the Donkey opens the celebrations of the last Sunday of Carnival in Mestre.
FLOAT PARADE IN MARGHERA
The grand parade of allegorical floats and groups in masks through the streets of the centre of Città Giardino will see a parade of floats: Peccati di Gola (Gluttony), Chi non bada a spese e chi non arriva a fine mese (Who doesn’t spare any expense and who can’t make ends meet), Von Frankenstein, Pierrot, Che si fa per vanità (What one does for vanity), In gondola a Venezia (In a gondola in Venice), La pazza fattoria 2016 (The mad farm 2016), Ghostbusters, Magia di un sorriso (The charm of a smile), Il libro della giungla (Jungle book), La grande bellezza (Great beauty), Zio Paperone e l’allegra compagnia (Uncle Scrooge McDuck and the merry brigade), Il cielo e la terra (The heavens and the earth), L’uomo e gli animali (Man and animals), Gli alberi e i frutti (The trees and fruit).
CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL OF ZELARINO
The 49th edition of the Children’s Carnival of Zelarino.
FLIGHT OF THE LION
The award ceremony with the coronation of Claudia Marchiori, winner of the Festa delle Marie of Carnival 2016. Immediately after the ceremony will be the Flight of the Lion where the flag of Venice will be hoisted to St. Mark’s bell tower to bid farewell to the crowds and to set an appointment for next year’s edition.
CULTURAL PROGRAM
As always, Carnival is also celebrated by a rich cultural programme that records a greater diffusion of events throughout Venice and the mainland. The programme of events is scheduled for the entire period of Carnival, connecting the local cultural activities, from the Musei Civici (Civic Museums) to the Polo Museale Statale (State Museum Centre), including the independent private foundations in an exciting calendar of events (concerts, conferences, exhibitions, theatrical and cinematographic performances) on the theme of the Carnival, works that are evidence of the culture of art and crafts in Venice; iconographic itineraries focusing on the arts also in places of worship; theatrical performances and commedia dell’arte; fairy-tales and shows for children, as well as workshops for them to become protagonists of the art of craftsmanship.
