Venice Carnival
Level B2
Now is the time of year when Venetians celebrate their annual carnival. Visitors from around the world arrive in the city each year to experience the famous event. The city is a magical place, with its lights, canals, gondoliers and splendid architecture. But in February every year it becomes even more magical, as Venetians and visitors alike dress up in fancy costumes and elaborate masks and celebrate in the beautiful squares.
For ten days people will stroll around the city, which becomes in effect a huge stage. Revellers will wear eighteenth-century style costumes and enjoy a number of events including concerts, parades, street theatre, circus and dance exhibitions.
The carnival will begin when the starting gun is fired. This year it will be fired in the Piazza San Marco, the most famous square in the city, by a famous Italian theatre actor playing Harlequin. This year's theme is 'Sensation: 6 senses for 6 neighbourhoods'. The city's 6 districts are each associated with a sense and will play host to shows representing that sense.
Exercises
| 1) | How is Venice described in the newsticker? What impression do you get of the city? | |
| 2) | List the adjectives in the newsticker and write a definition for each one. | |
| 3) | How many words can you find that relate to celebration or parties? Write a definition for each one. | |
| 4) | What do you know about Venice Carnival? What is its history? Why does it take place in February? Find out more! | |
| 5) | Where else in the world are there annual carnivals? What do they celebrate and what makes them different to/the same as Venice Carnival? | |
| 6) | This year's Venice carnival has the theme of the six senses. What are the six senses? | |
| 7) | Imagine you are planning this year's Venice Carnival and you must plan events that you can stage in each district, according to the six senses. What would you organize to fit the theme? | |
| 8) | Create some posters and advertisements for the Venice Carnival. Be imaginative and research the costumes, masks and traditions first so that they look authentic! |
