On April 2, 1725, Giacomo Casanova was born in a Venetian home, the second of six children of actors Gaetano and Zanetta Farussi, known as “la Buranella.” However, according to his own biography, little Giacomo was the result of a secret relationship between his mother and Michiel Grimani, a nobleman and owner of the Teatro San Samuele, where the Casanova family worked. Three hundred years later, Venice pays tribute to one of its most iconic figures with a Carnival celebrating his extraordinary life. Starting on February 14, Valentine’s Day, the 2025 Carnival invites the public to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of 18th-century Venice, experiencing the passions, adventures, and timeless beauty of La Serenissima. Inspired by Histoire de ma vie, Casanova’s French-written memoirs recounting, among other tales, his escape from the Piombi prison, this edition, titled The Time of Casanova, honors the libertine, writer, and adventurer who made freedom and wit his eternal hallmark.
The opening night on February 14 in St. Mark’s Square celebrates love with a special Valentine’s Day event. On Sunday, February 16, the spotlight turns to water with the traditional boat parade along the Grand Canal, led by the famous pantegana. For nearly a month, until March 4, the festivities will take over Venice with performances, masks, and music. Highlights include the return of Commedia dell’Arte with international comedians, the official ball at Ca’ Vendramin Calergi, the parade of the 12 Marias, traditional events, and Carnivals of the World on the stage in St. Mark’s Square. The water basin in front of the Arsenale will once again serve as a stage for the enchanting water show combining dance, music, and storytelling. Meanwhile, at the Tese of the Arsenale and Forte Marghera, younger attendees can revel in music and fun late into the night.
