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Carnevale: the Carnival of Venice is an event not to be missed. It is very rich, charming and full of tradition. There are many shows, some of them are improvised by street artists, others are very carefully planned. This Carnival has a different main theme each year that is developed from many different points of views, creating a cultural and spectacular event.
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Mostra internazionale d’arte cinematografica: this festival dedicated to cinema takes usually place between the end of August and the beginning of September in the famous Palazzo del Cinema, on Lungomare Marconi, in the Lido of Venice. The main award is the Leone d’Oro, a golden lion that comes from the symbol of the city (the lion of the Basilica of San Marco).
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Sensa: this ceremony recalls the episode in which doge Ziani worked as a mediator between Pope Alessandro III and Emperor Fredrick RedBeard. This ceremony has always taken place on the day of the Ascension to celebrate the power of Venice on the seas. The doge, with his retinue, embarked on Bucintoro, and at the entrance of San Nicolò port, threw in the sea a golden ring saying: "Noi ti sposiamo, o mare, in segno di eterno dominio", that is Venice ‘married’ the sea showing all its own strength. Today the mayor with all the civil and religious authorities to celebrate this event.
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Redentore: this feast is one of the most loved by Venetians. Tourists love it, too, thanks to the wonderful fireworks on the Saturday night (they are called foghi). This feast is celebrated on the third Sunday of July, during the day there several Holy Masses, then there is the solemn service led by the Patriarch and the religious procession. At sunset boats arrive in San Marco basin and in the Giudecca Cannel. People have dinner on the boats, eating the most traditional Venetian dishes and wait for the fireworks. This feast is celebrated to recall the vow made to thank the Redeemer who saved the town from the plague that struck Venice from 1575 to 1577.
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Regata storica: this historical regatta takes place on the first Sunday of September and it is one of the most loved and picturesque events in town. Tourists come from all over the world in this occasion and inhabitants are all involved. A historical procession made of XVI century boats (called bissone), led by the characteristic Bucintoro, the official boat of Serenissima – recalls the arrival in 1489 of Caterina Cornaro, wife of the king of Cyprus, who renounced to the Throne choosing to stay in Venice. After that, there is the boat-race.
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Festa della Salute: this feast is celebrated on 21st November and recalls a terrible plague developed in 1630-1631. The doge made a vow to obtain the intercession of Our Lady. During this day Venetians eat a traditional dish, called castradina, made of mutton.
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Stagione remiera: from April to September, in Venice and in the lagoon there are more than 120 boat-races, showing the characteristic style called "voga alla veneta" (Venetian stroke) to preserve and spread this sport, that is a fundamental part of the life and of the history of the city. Many races take place during religious and traditional feasts.
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Su e Zo per i Ponti: it is a non-competitive walking-race that start from Ponte della Paglia, along the streets (calli); the arrival is in Piazza San Marco.
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San Marco: Saint Mark is the Patron of the city and he is celebrated with a great procession on 25th of April. Venetian men this day are used to give a rose (called "bocolo") to the women they love.
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Vogalonga: this boat-race is not competitive and all rowing-boats can take part.
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Palio delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare: this annual competition involves the four ancient Sea Republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice). Each year the event is organized by one of the four cities that aim to celebrate their ancient power. The race among the boats is preceded by a wonderful procession, during which each Republic recalls important episodes of its own past. Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice are represented respectively, by a deep blue galleon and a winged horse; a white galleon and a winged dragon; a crimson galleon and an eagle; a green galleon and a lion.
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Venicemarathon: this is an international event; the marathon takes place respecting the official Olympic length: 42 km and 195 m. The runners arrive to Venice through "Ponte della Libertà", that links the city to the mainland. They cross Canal Grande through a "bridge" made of boats, 160 m. long, then they defile near Piazza San Marco and go towards the finish line, in Riva dei Sette Martiri.
Copyright Starnetwork srl - All rights reserved
Written by Stefania Maffeo
Translation by Linda Liguori |
