Carnival in Venice and on the mainland with masks and typical sweets (fritters). Venice becomes a big stage where arts, trades and traditions are protagonists.
‘Buongiorno Siora Maschera’ (Good morning Ms. Mask) was the usual greeting of Venetians during Carnival time as identities, sex and social status disappeared beneath the charm of costumes. At least until 1797, when Venice was under French domination, Venetians wore masks not only at Carnival time -i.e. from Boxing Day Dec.26 ( the ancient date of the beginning of Carnival) to midnighjt on Shrove Tuesday – but also troughout the year and the use of the tabarro and the bauta were allowed on festive days. Glancing at the portrayals of 1700s tradition in the works of Pietro Longhi or Gabriele Bella in the Querini Stampalia Museum or the Ca’ Rezzonico Museum you can an idea of Venetian life during Carnival.
http://www.carnevale.venezia.it