Venice Carnival

World Languages Carnival 2013

The purpose of this cultural activity at the Southwestern College was of course not only learn more about one of the biggest and most famous celebrations in the world as this, the Carnival of Venice, but also with the aim of bring more students to this tradition. With this activity, students were more interested in the tradition because it allowed them to participate in this celebrity trying to recreate the original Venetian carnival. Students could create and paint their own masks with their personal colors. The masks and costumes play a big role in this great celebration, because of the meaning. With the masks and disguises, class divisions disappear, everyone is equal and the only purpose is to enjoy and celebrate this great day. Of course, there are many popular costumes and masks and each has a different distinctive purpose and personality, such as the harllechino, Pulcinella, Pantalone, the Combines, Pierrot, etc.

This activity helped me understand more the meaning of the carnival, not only the colors and masks, but the real origin and the meaning of this. There is a very interesting history behind this celebration. The oldest document concerning the use of masks in Venice dates from May 2, 1268. However, it was not until the beginning of the thirteenth century when the Carnival was declared as a public holiday. At that time aristocrats used to come from all over and it was not uncommon for European princes and nobles to escape to Venice to have fun and enjoy the anonymity provided by the masks. Venice was a very oligarchic society, and the carnival served to give the lower classes the illusion of being equal to the powerful, both covering his face with a mask. However, it also allowed the powerful feel free from the shackles of their own moral class. During the carnival, there were a number of traditional costumes, many of which have lasted to this day. Among them were the classic characters from the art of the comedy, as the Harlequin and Punchinello. The character I liked the most and is very famous in the art of the comedy is Pierrot. I really like his hidden personality and his way demonstrate feelings. This character is always present in various carnivals and characterized by sadness and for fall in love with the impossible, as the moon or Colombina.

Over all, I really enjoyed this activity, along with my friends, reading the posters with the history of the carnival and watching others paint their own masks. This activity helped me gain a better understanding and realizing the importance of the carnival. Personally, after learn more about this celebration, it became one of my favorites, because of the historical background it has. I have always been a lover of art, the occult, and social equality in the world. This carnival is used as an excuse to get out and enjoy all alike and demonstrate even for that day their hidden personalities or pleasures that cannot display normally.

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