Festivities: Visitors become stars at Venice Carnival

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Europe

03:06

The annual Carnival in Venice is in full swing. And this year's theme, "Blame the moon", inspired by the 50th anniversary when humans first landed on the moon. And even though there are many carnivals taking place around the world during this season, the people in Venice say their event is unique, as visitors become stars themselves. CGTN'S Michal Bardavid reports.

History, culture, music and costumes, combine them all and you've got the Venice Carnival. Every year thousands from around the world flock to Venice for this festival, packed with daily events that hardly leave enough time to explore the treasures around the city.

But many Venetians say that attending the Venice Carnival is not enough, they say, "to feel it, one must participate in the Carnival."

One of the best experiences of the Carnival can be achieved inside an authentic atelier where costumes are available for rent or purchase. Hand-made costumes are prepared by Venetian tailors, each with beautiful accessories that are completed with masks to hide one's identity.

Fabio Momo is the co-founder of the Tiepolo atelier which also organizes the Tiepolo Ball.

FABIO MOMO, CO-FOUNDER TIEPOLO ATELIER "In Brazil, you have wonderful shows and costumes, but you look at the show – great, but you look at the show, here, when you wear a costume, you are the center of the attention, you are the show!"

Johan, a German tourist who has been attending the Carnival for the last 15 years is enjoying posing like a star, or in this case, like the moon!

JOHAN GERMAN VISITOR OF THE CARNIVAL "The spirit in Venice is still there, the spirit of Carnival and people really want to make beautiful costumes and kind of artistic costumes and when you meet people in the street, everybody is so happy to see wonderful costumes and that's fantastic."

Fabio says the balls that take place during the Carnival are unique in nature.

FABIO MOMO, CO-FOUNDER TIEPOLO ATELIER "In the party, with the costume and elegance you can recreate an atmosphere, very elegant, that without a costume is not possible."

As the sun sets in Venice, quiet returns to the streets and people start to get ready to attend special events.

And when the night begins, guests are greeted by red carpets and glasses of Prosecco - Italian white wine.

MICHAL BARDAVID VENICE, ITALY "Balls of the Venice carnival are exclusive and tend to take you back in time, as costumes are mandatory to enter the party. This one is taking place inside the famous Pisani Moretta Palace that was built in the 15th century and chamber music welcomes guests with classical pieces."

To make the night even more mesmerizing, guests relish a meal within a candle-lit saloon. If it weren't for the smartphone capturing selfies, a scene that could certainly be mistaken for one of ancient Venice. MICHAL BARDAVID, CGTN, VENICE.