June 2012, News of June 2012

[The Mask]

Welcome to Di Venezia!

Welcome to the opening of Di Venezia and thank you for taking the time to read through our site and see if this is something for you! We on the staff are very excited that the response has come so fast, an especial thanks to our three first members Antonio De Luca played by - , Hieronymus Sankt played by Proxy., Carlo De Natal played by Ivy, GUILIANA TROVATELLI played by Hatty and finally Delfina Rossini played by Olive

Di Venezia is a place for people who enjoys history, but foremost writing. We are trying to be a site for all types of writers: Action, Love and Drama.

To join our site there is no need to be a professor in Venetian history, but hopefully you're interested in the time period and/or have an interest to learn about it.

At the moment I'll keep myself short, since our site and story is still taking it's first staggering steps.

Get to work with those Applications!
Love Skuld and The Mask

[The Mask]

Carnival is coming up!

Carnevale di Venezia is the anual carnival of Venice that has its origin in the year 1162. The carnival lasts from 40 days before easter, which in 1606 would be the 15th of February, until the 25th of February. During the Carnival a lot of the usual class differences was put aside (although there was rather easy to differ a nobility from a street rat by their costumes.) Drinking was at its highest point and the brothels of the city overran by drunken costumers looking for some fun. Nast jokes were often told and sudden dancing could occur among the masses, especially in the San Marco square where it all started in the 12th century.

History
It is said that in the 12th century the carnival was started when Venice, then known as Repubblica della Serenissima , was last to Italy. The people felt joy when reuniting with their brethren after being ruled by the Patriarchate of Aquileia ( one of the states in The Holy Roman Empire that lasted between 1077 and 1445). Such a joy that they spontaneously started to dance and make reunions in the San Marco square, which is though of as the first carnival.

Masks
Masks have always been a big part of Venice. During the republics earliest years the inhabitants could spend most of the year in disguise, it was only in 1339 that there came laws about mask-bearing. Before that there had only been vague restrictions, such as that they could only wear masks on great holidays such as the ascension, christ and christmas and of course the carnival season.

Since masks was such a big part of Venice mask makers, or mascherari enjoyed special privileges and a place in society. They had, amongst other things such as good payment etc, their own laws and guild. They had often help when creating their masks by sign-painters who embellished the masks with great, life-like precision.

Most common types of masks
This has been explained here, but I though I would bring it up in this monthly announcement as well.

The Bauta

Is a full face covering mask with a stubborn chin and no mouth. Instead the bottom hals is pointed and tilted upwards, which enables the bearer to talk, eat and drink whit out having to remove it.

This mask can be simply white for the one who can afford colourful beads or carefully painted faces. It was also preferred by the society and politicians for its anonymous look.

The Columbine

This mask was worn and invented for the self-loving men and women who though their face to be to beautiful to cover it all up.

It is a mask that covers half the face, tied with ribbons or held by the hand. It is amongst the most embellished ones with feathers, gold-leafes and pearls.

Medico della plauge (the pest doctor)

This mask didn't appear in Venice until the 17th century, when a pest doctor used to keep himself from being infected. He stuffed the beak with sentenced herbs ton keep the "bad air" out.

Back then these masks was relatively simple. The were most often bone-white with maybe something written on it in thing black ink or horrifying pictures of the dead. Sometimes a pest doctor was displayed on them.

The moretta

This mask was not one of the favorites because of it's strange way of keeping it to your face. There was a button by the mouth that the ladies (since this mask was used just by them) bit down on to keep it up.

This mask was very simple, with no embellishments at all. It was most often used by patricians and nobility, keeping them from speaking or eating comfortably.

The volto

The larva, also called the volto mask, is mainly white, and typically Venetian. It is worn with a tricorn and cloak. Like the bauta, the shape of the mask allowed the wearer to breathe, drink, and speak easily without having to remove the mask. These masks were made of fine wax cloth and so were light and comfortable to wear, making them ideal for a night of socializing and dancing.

Costumes
Of course the costumes revolved around the masks, but since the masks often were themed (With myths and other recognizable characters) so were the costumes.

Some might be dressed as a joker, or maybe you prefer to be dressed as an angel? Anyway, the best tips for ideas and inspiration is to venture online at google and search away! And remember, we all like to read about you fabulous costumes so put sometime in describing them or maybe send your rp partner a link to a similar picture?

Event
During the carnival there is a lot of events, amongst them the dodges ball. (I sincerely hope that someone will pick him up from the canon list, otherwise I'll do so ) You are very welcome to create some of your own. I'll be posting a list of the event and the links to these particular threads as soon as the carnival starts so if you're planing of hosting one please send me a notification via PM on either this account or Julianas.

Enjoy the mysteries and magic of our up-and-coming carnival!
Love The Mask & Skuld