Carnival celebrations kick off in Italy

In Italy, Carnival celebrations have already begun, with numerous events set to be held throughout the country.

Venice, as every year, is the capital of the celebrations. This year, the Venetian festivities are dedicated to the the era of Giacomo Casanova, the 18th century Italian adventurer.

20,000 gather in Venice’s Piazza San Marco

On Carnival opening night, 20,000 people gathered in Venice’s famous Piazza San Marco for an evening devoted to the theme of love.

Organised for the occasion was a special contest dedicated to people in love, christened “Scream Your Love”, which allowed people to express their feelings in a spectacular way.

The evening was hosted by TV personality Marco Maccarini and radio host Chiara Perale, along with performers Principe Maurice and Manuel Bruttomesso, who played the roles of Casanova and a ramshackle Don Giovanni, respectively.

Numerous other artists were also present, including Jacopo Sarno and Silvia Scartozzoni, who performed excerpts from songwriter Red Canzian’s show “Casanova Operapop”.

On Sunday morning, over one hundred decorated boats and costumed rowers will meet at Venice’s Punta della Dogana to sail along the Grand Canal towards Rialto.

Just before the bridge, a boat carrying the papier-mâché “Pantegana”, which has now become one of the symbols of the popular Venetian carnival, will symbolically open in a blaze of colourful smoke and (biodegradable and eco-friendly) confetti, thus officially kicking off the carnival celebrations.

The party will end in Campo dell’Erbaria amidst a feast of traditional Venetian food, wine and music.

Parade of decorated boats on the Grand Canal

A preview of the Venice Carnival Street Show “Casanova, che avventure da matti!” will be screened from 11:00 am in Venice and from 3:30 pm in Mestre.

The spirit of this eclectic Venetian character will entertain audiences of all ages with circus-theatre performances, clowns, musicians, parades, magicians and storytellers on the stages of Piazza San Marco and Piazza Ferretto.

The festival’s cultural programme is especially full, and features a libretto from Francesco Maria Piava, Giussepe Verdi’s “Rigoletto” at the Teatro La Fenice and Tetro Golodini presenting Carlo Goldoni’s ‘La moglie saggia,’ which mixes both tragedy and comedy.

Another historical event for Carnival in Italy takes place in the Tuscan town of Viareggio. Celebrations there began on 9 February with the first masked parade. Five more will follow until 4 March.

Putignano’s 631st Carnival edition

The oldest carnival in Europe takes place in Putignano, which is set to celebrate its 631st edition. The first parade of floats is scheduled for Sunday, and will be accompanied by a musical performance from Eugenio Cesaro and a concert by Le Vibrazioni.

Also from Sunday, the commune of Civita Castellana will host the Civitonico Historical Carnival, which is expected to attract 8,000 participants.

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The Cinecittà World amusement park in Rome will showcase a programme of animations to celebrate the Carnival – with parades, floats, costume contests, shows and events dedicated to children held until 9 March.