Debbie and Barry at Carnevale

To wear a mask was considered a sign of freedom and breach of all social rules imposed by the Republic of Venice. In Venice it embodied - more than anywhere else - the need of playing, of gambling and enjoying life. In fact, Oscar Wilde once said, "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him mask, and he will tell you the truth."

Mask making in Venice goes back to the 14th century. Masks seemed to be a way by which the social class system disappeared, and the poor could frolic with the rich. Some masks, such as that of the “Plague Doctor” actually had a purpose – to protect the doctor from becoming infected with the plague by one of his many patients. The long nose of the mask was filled with “healing oils” which filtered the air they breathed. Other masks originated with the Commedia dell’arte in Venice, such as the Arlecchino and Columbina masks. While the art almost disappeared for centuries, it has returned, and many of the whimsical masks from days gone by are made once again.

Debbie and I attended the balls of Carnevale in full costume (see photo above), and it is an experience not to be missed. The costumes are spectacular and the feeling of anonymity brought on by the masks brought a level of comfort to the ball.

Venetian Mask maker Giorgio Iurcotta (right)

We caught up with a mask maker friend of ours Giorgio Iurcotta to get his perspective on mask making today. Giorgio and his family were frequent visitors to Dolce Debbie's kitchen when we lived in Venice. Many people on tours of Venice stop in to see the craftsmanship of Balocoloc. Now Giorgio is expanding his family's reach by making masks in Orlando at EPCOT. To learn more about the types of masks, and the history of mask making in Venice, click here for Giorgio's website, and watch the Disney video below.

See you at Carnevale! Ciao!

(Some material reproduced with permission of balocoloc.com)