Top 10 carnivals in the world
- By Xu Lin
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 20, 2012
Carnival of Venice, Italy （意大利威尼斯狂欢节）
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Carnival of Venice, Italy |
Location: Venice, Italy
Time: February-March for two weeks
The Carnival of Venice is one of the largest carnivals in the world. It began in the 15th century, but the tradition can be traced back to the beginning of the 14th century, when people wore masks to cover their real identities during the carnival, so that everyone could participate in the celebrations equally. It starts 40 days before Easter and ends on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, usually between the early February and early March every year, lasting for about two weeks.
The carnival is a grand festival that combines traditions, amusement and history. Approximately 3 million visitors come to Venice each day during the carnival to celebrate the coming of the spring together with the locals. The streets during Venice Carnival are full of people in masks and costumes, and no distinctions could be made between nobility and the common people. Old people become young, and young people become mature; the common people may hide behind the masks of celebrities; men and women could even wear each other's clothes to exchange their genders.
One of the most important events is the contest for the best mask, placed at the last weekend of the carnival. The exquisite and unique masks can be found everywhere in the shops. This is also a significant feature of Venice.
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