Daniele
Hello, my name is Daniele Foccone Alessandra Arcadi and I’m a mask maker. I was introduced to Carnival as a child. The TV news in Italy would do reports every year on the Venice and Viareggio Carnivals.
Piazza San Marco porticato Procuratie Nuove. Photographed by Mario Benenati
My first time at the Venice Carnival was in 2017. I was visiting it as a tourist. What I remember was the architecture and the uniqueness of a city like Venice. Then, there was the elegance of the masks. The fantasy and the colors. We liked it so much that we wanted to participate.
Scuola Grande dei Carmini. Photographed by Oi Ling Irene Fung
Since my mother-in-law already sewed masks and my wife's family has very good craftsmanship, we decided to be protagonists for the first time in 2019. It was an unforgettable experience and it has been every year since. Carnival is a very special event for us.
Foto piazzetta San Marco sotto colonne San Teodoro e San Marco. Unknown photographer.
There are many beautiful places in Venice:
1) Piazza San Marco, the living room of Europe
2) The Basilica of San Marco with frescoes highlighted at sunset, especially the gold.
3) The bell tower that towers over Venice.
4) All the palaces and churches that are works of art to admire.
5) Every street in Venice has a special place. The whole city is a great museum.
6) Perhaps my favorite is the so-called “Blue Door”, it is located on a street that has a magical light and atmosphere.
Porta Blu Calle de Mezzo. Photographed by Giuseppe Pojer
What I love most about Carnival is seeing happy and carefree children who make the ticket and the expenses that we masks face every year worth it. The joy in their faces when they see you and hug you is priceless.
Then, there are other aspects such as seeing so many people who come to Venice during the Carnival specifically to steal a photo with you or just to admire the masks and the creativity of the artists. There is also the friendship aspect. Over the years, you get to know many of the figures, exchanging ideas and chats.
Piazza San Marco porticato Nuove Procuratie. Photographed by Emanuele Masutti
If you have the opportunity, I recommend everyone to come masked to Venice and experience that feeling. Certain Venetian costumes cannot be found anywhere else. This is the uniqueness of Carnival in Venice. To those who decide to try the Venice Carnival, go into it carefree like the children. You’ll have so much fun.