Festa delle Marie

Revived by the visionary director Bruno Tosi in 1999 and over time becoming one of the key events of the Venice Carnival, the Festa delle Marie commemorates a historical event that actually occurred. It was the year 973 when, during the annual celebrations dedicated to the purification of the Virgin Mary at the church of San Pietro di Castello, twelve Venetian girls were kidnapped by a group of Dalmatian pirates. After a chase organized by Doge Pietro Candiano III, the maidens were freed and brought back to Venice. From then on, the Festa delle Marie was celebrated every year in the lagoon city, with rituals and customs that changed over the centuries.

Also, for this edition of the event, there will be numerous prizes awarded to the Maria of the Year, who will be elected on February 16th in the Sale Apollinee of La Fenice Theater, along with the one selected by Il Gazzettino, based on readers’ votes!

If you are a girl between 18 and 28 years old, residing in Venice within the Metropolitan City territory or born in Venice but residing in the National Territory, purchase Il Gazzettino (Venice-Mestre edition), and don’t miss the chance to become one of the 12 Marias of the 2026 Venice Carnival. The date and registration methods will be announced shortly!

Requirements to apply:

– Gazzettino coupon duly completed (available from January 10th).
– Age between 18 and 28 years.
– Residency in the Metropolitan City of Venice or birth in Venice, even if residing elsewhere in Italy. Foreign applicants must also have a residence permit.

Send the following to [email protected]: two photos (one close-up and one full-body), a copy of your ID card and your phone number.

Last year, the title of “Maria of the Year 2025” went to Elena Sofia Cesca, 20 years old from Venice, who studies Medicine and Surgery in Padua.

The competition is in collaboration with