THE ORIGINS OF CARNIVAL OF VENICE

Strolling through St. Mark’s Square in a chilly February morning, is like stepping back in a time and suddenly becoming a spectator in the fairy tale open theatre show of multiple acts, constantly changing scenes, actors, actresses, with just a tiny difference - there is no screenplay, no director, only brilliant improvisation. Your eyes are pampered by the endless spectrum of colours and shapes and bewitching individuals parading the Venetian streets and squares. The city is transformed into a cocktail of parties and blooms like a cherry tree in spring. The annual Carnival of Venice has just started and almost every sq. meter is now filled with crowds of masked people in traditional 18th century style costumes creating a unique atmosphere amplified by the city’s gothic architecture. The Grand Opening Ceremony on the Canal of Cannaregio is where the magic happens and continues throughout the city for several weeks.

VENICE CARNIVAL MASKS

The masks are inseparably associated with the Carnival of Venice but they were used on many other occasions. In the past wearing masks and costume made it possible for people to hide any difference of classes and status. For a few weeks of the year anyone could be who they wanted to be. A poor man could be a nobleman, a man could be a woman. It was even allowed to make fun of the aristocracy. The masks were used by Venetian gamblers and prostitutes seeking anonymity as a result by 18th century were banned outside of carnival time.

CA’ MACANA - WHERE THE BEST VENETIAN MASKS ARE CREATED

These days during Carnival time one of the most famous shops in Venice - Ca’Macana (where the masks for the movie Eyes Wide Shut directed by Stanley Kubrick starring Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise, were made) – organizes special events and even free workshops (prior reservation required) so you can learn more about history of Venetian masks and get all your questions answered. How are the real Venetian masks made? Why despite of the plague the carnival was not suspended?  

THE VENETIAN CAT (transvestite) MASK - GNAGA MASK

Gnaga mask was part of a costume worn by men disguising themselves as woman and was a main reason why homosexuality spread so widely in Venice despite the fact homosexuality as such was illegal and punished by death. It is hard to fight natural instincts so Venetian homosexuals found a loophole in the law. Since wearing a mask meant becoming a mask, a man wearing a gnaga (was essentialy becoming a woman) had to act in accordance with the mask, which meant he was allowed to be involved in heterosexual relationships with other men. No masked person could be also arrested. The Gnagas always carried with them a basket full of kittens and could freely inult the passers-by.

HOW VENETIANS FIGHTED HOMOSEXUALITY?- the BRIDGE OF BREASTS in venice

Venice today the city of romance was once the capital of prositution. The (female) prostitues paid taxes and kept dozens of men occupied. But times got tough for them in the 16th century. The increased competition in the market from (sic!) men, led dissatisified (female) prostitues to make a plea to the bishop Antonio Contarini on the decreasing number of customer due to the growing popularity of male encounters. As a result, to fight with male prostitution/homosexuality, some courtesants were asked to stand on the bridge (called Ponte delle Tette - “The Bridge of Breasts”) with their breats exposed to prove there were not “drug queens” so that nobody is mistaken and surprised at the most intimate moment (in the inebriated state not everything is obvious). Later, prostitutes were actually paid to stand on that bridge and were used as form of “homosexual theraphy”. It was thought that no man could stay gay if faced a bridge full of half-naked women. How many men were converted into heterosexuals as a result of this practise? That remains unknown.