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Best Pictures As Venice Carnival Kicks Off

abraham smithFebruary 9, 2023

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Costumes, row during the Carnival regatta in the Grand Canal on February 05, 2023 in Venice, Italy. The Venice Carnival begins on February 4th and ends on February 21st, 2023 and is entitled “Make time for the original signs”. (Photo by Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images)

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Venice Carnival 2023 officially began on February 4th with a light-filled night parade down the Grand Canal.

Over the next two weeks, the floating city turns into one big, spectacular party, with costumed revelers posing in the plazas, street theater performances, and dozens of events.

The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to Venice every year.

This edition is titled Make Time for the Primal Signs and was inspired by the signs of the zodiac.

Here are some of the best images so far from one of the most lavish carnivals in the world.

along the Grand Canal for the opening of the Venice Carnival, Italy, February 4, 2023. The theme for the 2023 edition of the Venice Carnival is ‘Take Your Time For Original Signs’ and runs from February 4-21. (Photo by Federico Agency Vespignani/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The event began with a barge decorated with lights transporting actors and artists along the Grand Canal.

Dreamers” on a barge navigating the Grand Canal during the opening parade of Venice Carnival on February 4, 2023. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO/AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Thousands gathered on bridges and jetties to see the parade’s fire shows and exotic costumes, dubbed “Original Dreamers.”

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Another water cavalcade took place on February 5 with hundreds of rowers in elaborate costumes on traditional boats.

The large papier-mâché rat ‘Pantegana’ rides through the Grand Canal during the Carnival regatta on February 05, 2023 in Venice, Italy. The Venice Carnival begins on February 4th and ends on February 21st, 2023 and is entitled “Make time for the original signs”. (Photo by Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images)

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The protagonist of the parade was a 7 meter long papier-mâché rat known as Pantegana.

Venice, Italy, on February 5th, 2023. The 2023 Venice Carnival began on February 4th in the Italian lagoon city and will last until February 21st. (Photo by Jin Mamengni/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images

Revelers in splendid carnival costumes posed for photos in the streets.

Bakery ‘Bonifacio’, are displayed in the confectionery, ‘Frittelle’ are a typical Venice Carnival dessert on January 31, 2023 in Venice, Italy. The Venice Carnival begins on February 4th and ends on February 21st, 2023 and is entitled “Make time for the original signs”. (Photo by Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images)

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Bakeries have started making indulgent carnival pastries such as friesround fried donuts filled with raisins or cream.

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I’m a Venice-based journalist originally from Scotland. I’ve been writing about my adopted country since I moved here five years ago after earning an Art History degree from Cambridge University.

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