The Venice Carnival, themed ‘Remember the Future’, begins. Around 50,000 people, mainly foreigners, including many Austrians, flocked to the lagoon city on Saturday, which is seen as a positive sign of the city’s economic upswing.
Smaller demonstrations and puppet shows took place throughout the center so that there was no crowd. Few tourists wore carnival costumes. Mass events such as the traditional “Flight of the Angel” from the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica were avoided in order to avoid the risk of corona infections.
The first major event will be held at the Arsenale on Friday February 18th with the “Carnival on the Water”, a floating show entitled “Nebula Solaris”. A reservation is required to participate.
The “Carnevale di Venezia” transformed the city into a street arts arena with dance shows, concerts, exhibitions, music, films and screenings in February in the years leading up to the pandemic. Up to 100,000 visitors cavorted in the lagoon city every day. With its masked balls, gondola parades and fireworks, the carnival was one of the most important festivals in Venice.