|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Venetian Eye Masks as in their title, originated in Venice, Italy.
"Carnevale" interprets as "farewell to meat", as the first Carnivals developed around the Roman Catholic festival of Lent.
Nowadays, People dress in costume and masks to join in with the festivities.
The masks were originally used as a disguise. With Venice being such a small city, with it's narrow streets and close neighbours, it was very difficlult to maintain a private life.
The masks gave people the anonymity they craved, although there were always people to ruin the freedom.
Because the Carnivals became an excuse for some to commit crimes and immoral acts without the worry of being discovered, the use of masks was banned at certain times of the year.
However, there were two periods in which wearing costume and masks in the streets was encouraged.
One of those periods began on Ascension Day (40 days after Easter) and lasted until June 10th.
The second period started on October 5th and ran through December 16th; this was when the "domino" clothing was also allowed even during special services in honor of well-known or famous personalities.
It was in those years that the Venetian Carnival planted it's roots. The annual start date was December 26th and to this present day, it closes on Shrove Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday.
As the tradition continues today, the beautiful city of Venice, Italy serves as the gathering place for more and more Venetians and many other visitors from around the world to take part in this exceptional event of uninhibited celebration and contravention. |
|
