ROME, Feb 14 (NNN-XINHUA) – Carnival 2024 concluded across Italy yesterday, culminating with the traditional mask and float parade in Venice.
The lagoon city boasts one of the oldest carnival traditions in the country, dating back to 1296. The distinctive mask parade on the Mardi Gras Day, marked a colourful conclusion to the celebrations that kicked off on Feb 3.
The historic centre of Venice came alive, as theatre shows, marching bands, dancers and street performers filled its narrow streets, especially around the St. Mark’s Square. In addition, some eight floats and 600 masked figures also paraded in surrounding islands, as well as in Marghera.
As customary, celebrations of the Carnival prominently feature traditional masks and costumes. In Venice, the event especially serves as a showcase of disguised faces, adorned with wigs, feathers, luxurious period costumes and other colourful accessories.
Venice Carnival 2024 was dedicated to Marco Polo, marking the 700th anniversary of the death of the Venetian merchant and traveller.
A special show on Marco Polo was staged at the St. Mark’s Square yesterday, including a parade showing traditional Chinese attires from Suzhou Silk Museum. It was accompanied by dancers, acrobats and martial artistes from the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou.
Suzhou, dubbed by Marco Polo in the 13th century as “the Venice of the East,” has been a sister city to Venice since 1980.– NNN-XINHUA
