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In January, the weather in Venice is usually gloomy and lifeless until the Venice Carnival begins. The city bursts with color from the magnificent masquerades.
Carnival was first celebrated in the 11th century. During the Renaissance, it became an official event. At that time, Italians eagerly anticipated each festival because they could use masks to conceal their identities and escape the strict class stratification system of the time.
For two weeks, St. Mark's Square, theaters, streets, and office buildings became stages for actors, circus performers, dancers, musicians, and more, giving people the feeling of being in the 17th century.
Masks are the most distinctive feature of the Venetian carnival. Mask makers also hold a respected position in society, with their own guilds and rules.
Not all activities of Venice Carnival revolve around beauty and vanity. Traditionally, the festival begins with the 'Battle of the Rats,' in which a giant rat model leads a procession of brightly decorated boats along Venice's Main Canal.
Ngoc Anh (According to Dailymail)
