From February 4th to 21st 2012

THE GRAN THEATRE IN ST. MARK’S SQUARE
From 11 to 21 February 2012 

This year too, on the occasion of Carnival 2012, a big Stage will be set up in St. Mark’s Square. The “Grand Theatre” will be the heart of one of the most famous events in the world. Besides the traditional shows, such as the “Angel Flight”, the “Festa delle Marie” (or “Feast of Marie”) and the “More Beautiful Mask”, it will also host performances of the most innovative companies, including shows of choreographic companies and circus-theatre shows. The programme of the evening events to be held in St. Mark’s Square will include dances, parties with early evening aperitif entertainment and Dj sets to accompany electrifying happy hours.

THE WINE FOUNTAIN
From February 4th

In this 2012 edition too there will be in St. Mark’s Square the “Fountain of Wine“, a beautiful fountain set up just in front of the Ducal Palace, from which fine wines – strictly of Venetian production- will flow, which will be offered to the public. Carnival will be officially opened precisely by the Fountain, on February 4th 2012, and, after the official opening toast, let’s give free rein to dance! In the Piazzetta San Marco people will dance the waltz until late at night!

VENETIAN FESTIVAL ON WATER 
February 5th

On Sunday, February 5th 2012, you cannot absolutely miss “The Venetian Festival on Water”, the highlight of the popular folklore of Carnival events. An imposing water parade will slip moorings from Punta della Dogana and sail along the Grand Canal until reaching the popular Rio di Cannaregio, where it will march among the jubilant crowd thronging on the shores, waiting for the now acclaimed “Svolo della Pantegana”. The regatta will be accompanied with songs of the Venetian tradition. Upon arrival of the boats, the wine and food stands will be opened, in which the public will find cicheti (nips), Venetian specialties and traditional Carnival sweets par excellence: fritole and galani.

FESTA DELLE MARIE 
February 11th

This year too, at the Carnival of Venice 2012, the traditional “Festa delle Marie” (“Feast of Marie”) could not miss. The event, a unique moment to admire the costumes of the Venetian tradition, unfolds over several days. It will be inaugurated on Saturday, February 11th, with the procession of the twelve Venetian girls selected in the previous weeks. The pedestrian parade, accompanied by costumed historical groups of the European Committee of Historical Re-Enactments and Carnival Associations, will l

eave San Pietro in Castello, walking along the entire Riva degli Schiavoni and finally reaching St. Mark’s Square, where the presentation of the “Marie” to the citizens will take place.

ANGEL FLIGHT 
February 12th

The “Angel Flight”, a traditional reminiscence of the homage once brought to the Doge, offers the exciting flight of a secret guest of the city of Venice, from the top of the bell tower of St. Mark’s up to the centre of the square. The event will officially open the Carnival festivities on February 12th 2012. The angel, a star of the international glamour, whose name this year still remains unknown, will wear a beautiful costume inspired by the Carnival theme.

ROWING OF SILENCE 
February 21st

The Venice festival will end on Tuesday, February 21st 2012, with the Rowing of Silence: an impressive procession of boats that will pass along the Grand Canal with no artificial lighting, from Rialto to St. Mark’s. All buildings overlooking the city’s most famous canal will instead be lit with thousands of candles in order to recreate the atmosphere of ancient times and revive the image of an unreal and magical Venice, free from noise (motor-boat traffic will be banned) and by candlelight.PB

23rd October 2011

One of the most important sports events in Italy, with a spectacular race track, is the Venice Marathon. Runners will start in Villa Pisani a Strà and reach Riva dei Sette Martiri in Venice. This year the race (held on 23rd October 2011) includes St. Mark’s Square. More than 7000 registered athletes will have the honour of running in front of the Correr Museum and St. Mark’s Basilica.

On reaching the lagoon, participants will have to run from San Basilio to the Biennale. The route includes 13 bridges covered with special wooden ramps for the occasion. Like every year, the ramps will not be removed after the race so that during the Carnival wheelchair users and people with disabilities will be able to visit the most beautiful city in the world.

From 11th to 21st February 2012

The 2012 Venice Carnival is dedicated to the theatricalisation of everyday life, as announced today by the Art Director, Davide Rampello, in a press conference held in the town hall. The title will therefore be “LA VITA E’ TEATRO. TUTTI IN MASCHERA” (Life is theatre. Everybody dress up)

The famous kermesse will turn Venice into Europe’s theatre capital, as it used to be in the past, starting from the XVII century. It was a real breeding ground for high level theatre plays. Famous artists – the likes of Antonio Vivaldi and Antonio Guardi, Il Canaletto – were involved and worked on creating the scenery of important theatre plays.

This year (like other years), the 11-day programme will extend into the week-end. The Carnival’s prologue will be the week-end of 4th-5th February and will officially begin on 11th February, ending on Shrove Tuesday (21st February 2012).

This year’s theme is the valorisation of the city and the aim is to make the Carnival an event people enjoy, arousing their interest in the city. During this active, throbbing Carnival participants will have all the possible stimuli for the development of their creativity.TD

Historical Regatta

Visitors in Venice should not miss the Historical Regatta, which this year will be held on September 4th. The regatta is a folklore event (with a splendid procession of richly decorated XVI century boats, carrying the ‘doge’ and his court) and a competition, in which gondolino and caorlina boats, as well as other traditional Venetian boats, race against each other.

The event – which started hundreds of years ago, when the many boats of the Serenissima [old Venetian Republic] had to keep their rowing crews trained and fit – was this year awarded the status of “Heritage of Italy” by the Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Michela Vittoria Brambilla. The award acknowledges the incredible value of this ancient historical tradition in the valorisation of Italy’s image.

The procession of historical boats, which starts from Bacino San Marco and goes through Canal Grande, will start at 4 pm. The competition among the traditional Venetian boats (pupparini, mascarete, caorline, gondolini) will start at 5 pm. It will begin and end in front of Ca’ Foscari and the famous “Machina” (the stand for official authorities), passing through Giardini di Castello, Bacino San Marco, Canal Grande, Rialto.

The Historical Regatta can be seen from Piazza San Marco, from the shores of Canal Grande and its bridges (Ponte dell’Accademia and Ponte di Rialto) and from a second stand, specially assembled near the San Tomà pier. Seats in this stand can be bought online here, starting from €45 (€22 for residents in the Municipality of Venice). During the four regattas, the boats will pass in front of this stand twice. The stand also offers a perfect view of the finishing post in front of Ca’ Foscari and the “machina”, as well as being a good position to view the historical procession and other events. TD

July 16th-17th 2011

This year too in Venice the magic of the Feast of the Redeemer cannot absolutely be misses: On July 16th a multitude of boats, of all shapes and sizes, will gather in St. Mark’s Basin, waiting for the firework display expected to take place at midnight.

This is one of the holidays more sincerely felt by the Venetians, in which the religious and the spectacular aspects cohabit. The tradition of the Redeemer dates back to 1577 and commemorates the end of a terrible plague: to thank God, the Serenissima (the Most Serene Republic of Venice) had the basilica built by Palladio on the Giudecca Island, where, like every year, you can go on a pilgrimage through a massive pontoon bridge 330 meters long, specially built for the occasion.

All those who wish to participate, from citizens to tourists, gather with their boats, decorated for the occasion, in St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal towards 7:00 pm for a rich dinner. Among delicacies and dances, they patiently wait for the fireworks, which start at 11:30 pm, lighting up the incredible architectural beauties overlooking this gorgeous lagoon water surface: the Doge’s Palace, St, Mark’s Square, St. George’s Church, Basilica of St. Mary of Health and of course the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. Even those who do not have the opportunity to get on a boat can lurk on the banks, bringing with them food, and a great desire to dance and listen to music, thus taking part in this grand festival.

At the End of the fireworks, then, all flock to the Venice Lido to go on dancing on the beach and enjoy a swim at night.TD

“UP AND DOWN THE BRIDGES”

Every year TGS Eurogroup organizes “Su eZo per i Ponti” (“UP AND DOWN THE BRIDGES“), a non competitive walk for everybody: young and old, school parties, families. It’s a wonderful way to discover Venice on foot, through all the major sights and wonderful spots of  the city:  you can decide to run… or walk seeing all the beauties that Venice has to offer.

The route starts from the Ponte della Paglia and winds along the city calli, fondamente and campi (the streets, banks and squares of Venice), passing through most sestieri (districts) as far as the finishing post in Saint Mark’s Square.

Programme:

SATURDAY 9 APRIL 8.30pm
PRELUDE to the SU E ZO PER I PONTI
Piazza San Marco (front of Museo Correr): A special evening as a tribute to Venice and the Su e Zo.

SUNDAY 10 APRIL
09.30 am Gathering of all folk groups in Piazza San Marco Flag-raising ceremony in the presence of dignitaries
10.00 am Lighting the beacon
10.00 am 1) Start of Su e Zo per i Ponti from Piazza San Marco (corner of Palazzo Ducale)2) Start of Su e Zo per i Ponti from the Railway Station (school parties only)
12.30 pm Folk groups parade in Piazza San MarcoSpecial prizegiving to the groups
02.00 pm End of the walk

Info TGS Eurogroup tel. 0415904717

Tania Danieli

2011, march 4th
Arsenale

A rich dinner with unique flavours together with the lively animations of the boogie dancers “Doo-wop” and the dance muic from the famous DJ of “La Voce di Venezia” radio.

All set within one of the most authentic and ancient Venetian locations. Arsenale’s Navy Club is an exclusive and original location ten walking minutes from Piazza San Marco and in front of the Arsenale vaporetto stop.

In this magic Fat Friday you will be audience and protagonist of a unique night with entertaining events and music that will bring you to the dance floor in the heart of the authentic Venetian Carnival.

Cost: 70 € p.p. (non refundable)
Bookings Only

Dress Code: a Carnival costume or mask would be preferable but….the theme is free and at your own choice!

For more information and booking here

Sunday February 20th, 2011, from 10am
Canal Grande and Cannaregio

This is the typical venetian Feast open to all the guests interested in local traditions.
The water parade organized by the “Coordinamento Associazioni Remiere” of Venice, will leave San Marco and sail along the Canal Grande to the folkloristic district of Cannaregio where it will be acclaimed by the crowd facing the banks of the Rio de Cannaregio. They will be waiting for the already famous “Svolo della Pantegana”, organized by the same “Coordinamento delle Remiere”.

As soon as the row boats arrive, the eno-gastronomic stalls, with the traditional carnival delicacies, will open: venetian fritole and galani, the appreciated local appetizers “cicheti” will be offered by A.E.P.E. A fountain, placed on the banks just for the occasion, will pour wine instead of water while surprising the guests that will be attended by the landladies in their traditional costumes, according to the local theatrical mise-en- scène.TD

From 6th to 16th  February

This year, the unfailing appointment with the most famous Carnival in the world, which, for some years, has availed itself of the lively planning by Marco Balich, will take place from 6th to 16th February 2010. All your senses will be stimulated by the enthralling sequence of events. Like every year, the city will explode with fun and huge festive crowds will fill the salon of St. Mark’s Square, where in 2010 a huge garden will be set up too, and other thousands squares where you will have the opportunity to see free shows, period costume parades, concerts and living history, children’s entertainment, wide all-night dancing, food tasting and other sensory experiences.

Major events:

Carnival Opening Show
Saturday February 6th , 9.00 pm.
A show in St Mark’s Square, with a great artist, to open the Carnival 2010 in the name of fun and culture.

The Tradition – the Flight of the Angel – Sunday, February 7th, 12.00 am
The Tradition – The Festa delle Marie – Sunday, February 7th, 3.00 pm (from San Pietro di Castello)
The tradition – the Historical Re-enactments – Sunday, February 7th, 3.00 pm and Sunday, February 14th, 1.00 pm

Drag Queen Beauty Pageant
Friday, February 12th, 9.00 pm, St.Mark’s Square.

A new European competition. In the jury, the Compagnia de Calza “I antichi”.  2010 Masked Costume Contest
From Thursday 11th to Sunday, February 14th, 3.00 pm.
The symbol of the tradition of Carnival. An international jury, chaired by the Oscar Award Gabriella Pescucci and the Compagnia de Calza “I Antichi”.

Tango Nights in St. Mark’s Square.
Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th and Monday February 15th, 9.00pm

Commedia dell’Arte.
From Thursday 11th to Sunday February 14th , Piazzetta San Marco.

Mardi Gras in St. Mark’s Square.
Tuesday, February 16th, 8.00 pm. A feast to close the 2010 edition in the name of music.

The Venetian Feast.
Sunday, February 7th, 11.00 am, Rio di Cannaregio. In collaboration with A.E.P.E. and Coordinamento Remiere.

Campo del Gusto – Campo San Geremia.
From Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th February, 10.00am – 7.00pm.
In partnership with Regione Veneto and in cooperation with Unione Cuochi del Veneto (Association of the Cooks of Veneto).

Carnival in the Darkness, Corderie dell’Arsenale
From Saturday 6th to Tuesday 16th February, 11.00am – 8.00pm
New edition with new paths and surprises. In collaboration with Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano.

Burlesque at the Venice Carnival 2010.
From Saturday 6th to Saturday February 13th

The Flight of the Donkey – Ferretto Square.
Sunday, February 14th, 12.00 am

Sensation Opening Party – Mainland.
Saturday February 6th, from 10.00 pm.

Tania Danieli

Come and kiss to welcome the new year.
Thursday 31st December 2009

31st December 2009, St. Mark’s Square, Venice: Love, the new Venetian way of celebrating New Year is back and like it happened in the previous edition, it will set the heart of the city beating on one of the most important nights of the year. Once again, St.Mark’s Square will host the New Year celebrations, that will culminate in a vast, communal kiss of more than 60.000 people, with music, toasts and fireworks. One unanimous kiss to send as a message of love, peace and brotherhood, a simple but profound gesture that will welcome the New Year, an event destined to become the focus of media attention and a worldwide symbol, as well as to be a special memory for the city and all those who will take part in this new, unforgettable Venetian night. TD