The Venice Carnival launched its 2024 season with a bold environmental statement, replacing traditional plastics with biodegradable streamers during its iconic Grand Canal procession. Over 50,000 attendees watched vibrantly costumed performers cruise past the Rialto Bridge, their boats trailing plant-based confetti that dissolves harmlessly in the lagoon. This year’s theme honors Venice’s most infamous historical figure – Giacomo Casanova – on the 300th anniversary of the libertine’s birth.
City officials emphasized the sustainability shift in a recent statement:
Unlike conventional plastics that endanger marine life, our new decorations use rice paper and natural dyes,confirmed event coordinator Lucia Bianchi. Carnival should dazzle, not destroy.
Key 2024 updates include:
- 72 hours of Casanova-themed masquerade balls at Palazzo Zaguri
- One-way pedestrian corridors enforced near St. Mark’s Square
- Free mask-repair stations to extend costume longevity
While elaborate 18th-century gowns remain a staple, many designers now incorporate recycled materials. Local artisan Marco Foscari told reporters, My Casanova-inspired cloaks feature repurposed velvet from La Fenice opera house curtains. With celebrations continuing through March 4, officials project record attendance despite stricter crowd control measures implemented after 2023’s floods.