Venice Events

CARNIVAL
28st February - 8th March 2005
In Carnival time, on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday an evocative ceremony happens again between the jokes and the festival of masks: the flight of the Angel, in the past the flight of the Turk, that is the descent of a young acrobat from St. Mark's bell-tower towards the Loggia of the Palace of the Doges. Once this character used to present the Doge with a bunch of flowers or some poems. In the Serenissima times, on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday, the memory of the victory of the Doge Vitale II Michiel over Ulrico in 1162 was recalled. Ulrico was the patriarch of Aquileia: after being taken prisoner at Grado, he was released on condition that every year he would send a bull and twelve piglets as a playful homage to Venice. The bull and the twelve piglets were slaughtered before the people just on the Thursday before Shrove Tuesday.

ASCENSION DAY
May
On Ascension day Venice celebrates the symbolic wedding to the sea: to the Serenissima it was the token of its rule on the Adriatic. This feast dates back to the conquest of Dalmatia by the Doge Pietro Orseolo II about the year one thousand and it probably found its ritual defintive form only later, at the time of the Doge Sebastiano Ziani, when the Pope made a donation of the symbolic ring to the Doge for his service to the Church. The Doge, the clergy, and the dignitaries led the procession on Bucintoro, the boat of the State: the patriarch blessed the sea with holy water and the Doge threw the ring into the sea saying this sentence: "As a token of eternal rule we marry you, oh sea"

THE DAY OF THE REDENTORE
The third Sunday of July
The most well-known watch of the night is the feast of the Redentore, between the third Saturday and the third Sunday of July . On that occasion a pontoon-bridge links Giudecca to Zattere which are separated by a canal. All the Venetians take part in the feast pouring in the streets with music and songs: boats of different shapes, colossal boats ("peata"), light punts, gondolas, and small boats covered with branches and coloured balloons, become lighted boats, in which cheerful groups spend the night having abundant dinners with "saor" (sardelles with onions), little snails, and ducks.

REGATA STORICA
First Sunday of September
Regattas are typical Venetian events. The most famous regattas are: the Historical Regatta, which happens on the first Sunday of September, and the Antique Maritime Republic Trophy which takes place alternatively in Venice, Genoa, Amalfi and Pisa. In the Historical Regatta the typical Venetian boats start from the end of the public gardens, go through all St. Mark's basin along the "Riva degli Schiavoni" and the Gran Canal, as far as the opposite extremity at Santa Chiara, near the railway station. Here, just in the middle of the canal, a post is placed. The competitors must turn around the post itself and coming back to their way, they must reach the middle of the Gran Canal. A platform called "machina" is raised near Ca' Foscari; on the "machina" four flags are set up: they are the signals for the first four prizes. "Arrivar in bandiera" means: to arrive within one of the first four positions .

MADONNA DELLA SALUTE
November
On November Venice celebrates the feast of Madonna della Salute. In 1630 Venice pronounced the vow of raising a big temple in honor of the Virgin Mary to thank her for the ending of the terrible pestilence. On that day a temporary pontoon-bridge links the banks of the Gran Canal between Campo Santa Maria Zobenigo and the opposite "Traghetto di San Gregorio", to make it easier the way to the Church. After the prayer and the adoration of the icon Panditissa (the black Madonna coming from Creta), people eat the traditional "castradina" (salted mutton), which once was imported from the merchants coming from Albania.


VENICE FILM FESTIVAL
The most prestigious international film event offered in Italy, presented by the Venice Biennale.
Palazzo del Cinema, Lido



VENICE BIENNALE
12 June to 6 November 2005
International Art Exhibition :49th edition of the main Italian art event offering contemporary art from around the world. Castello Gardens, Arsenale and other venues: 10 June-4 November 2001.



CAMPIELLO PRIZE
September.
Award ceremony and gala of the most aspired-for Italian literary prize:
Doge's Palace


"SU E SO PER I PONTI"
March
Thousands of people of all ages run all over the city in this festive non-competitive contest. Correctly dressed in tracksuits, all marathoners take full advantage of the occasion to discover Venice's secrets.

"VOGALONGA"
May
25th edition of the famous non-competitive sailing marathon: St. Mark's Basin and the northern Lagoon



VENICE MARATHON
October
17th edition of this world-leading and charming long-distance run: Stra - Venezia



SAN PIETRO IN VOLTA FEAST
June
Typical fair in honour of the patron saint in a picturesque village between sea and lagoon on the island of Pellestrina: 24-29 June.
Pellestrina-S.Pietro in Volta Local Council, tel. 041.96.76.66.

SAN PIETRO DI CASTELLO FEAST
June / last week
Various stands offering traditional Venetian wine and dishes dot the sole remaining campo in Venice that is covered in grass. Sunday evening an enormous bingo game is held in front of the church that was once - before St. Mark's - the seat of the Patriarch of Venice.

BURANO'FISH FEAST
September / third Sunday
Stands of wine and gastronomic delights offer polenta and fish, washed down by glasses of good wine. The high-point of the day is the last regatta of the season, which is considered a grudge match after the more famous regatta storica..

SANT ERASMO'S "MOSTO"
October / first Sunday
Reachable solely by boat or public waterbus (Sant'Erasmo is an island!) this enjoyable country festival offers glasses of good mosto (young wine), and tasty titbits such as grilled ribs or chops with polenta, and the party is enlivened by dancing and music. In the afternoon there are regattas of mixed doubles: the only time men and women may compete together.