VENCIE, Italy -- Fasching, Carnevale, Mardi Gras - no matter what name or region, the season leading up to Lent is a raucous celebration of parties, costumes and craziness.
Some historians say the traditions have their roots in the Saturnalia celebrations of pagan Rome, but the modern customs grew around the liturgical calendar and the Christian observance of Lent. Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter in which devotees abstain from certain foods, physical pleasures or bad habits in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for his ministry.
This period of frivolity and feasting is considered the "last hurrah" before the lean days of Lent. The word Carnevale has its basis in the Latin term "carne vale" which means farewell to meat, as traditionally meat was not consumed during Lent.
While the dates of these festivities vary somewhat, most of them end on Ash Wednesday, though "Fastnacht" is celebrated during Lent in countries such as Sweden and Luxembourg.
Here in Bavaria, fasching traditions date from the Middle Ages, and almost every town and village has its own celebration. While the German Fasching festivities focus on frivolity and silliness, the Carnevale of Venice, Italy, one of the oldest recorded pre-Lenten festivals, supplies a more elegant and mysterious aura.
In medieval Venice, the wealthy and powerful often ventured into the streets masked and shrouded in voluminous cloaks for clandestine appointments. The practice became so predominant that the wearing of masks was banned in Venice, except during Carnevale. These elaborate gowns and fanciful masks have become a hallmark of this celebration.
With Venice only hours from the USAG Bavaria footprint, this world renowned festival is within easy reach. A group of Department of Defense Dependents Schools teachers who all share a passion for costuming have been making annual pilgrimages to Carnevale for years.
"I've been attending Carnevale for 21 years, and dressing in costume for 18 or 19," said Nancy Dauber, language arts teacher at Ansbach Middle School. "Venice is enchanting, and being in costume participating gives you the feeling that you are part of the illusion and romance that is Venice."
Karen Rose, who retired just last year, has been accompanying Dauber since 1994. Typically she makes two new costumes a year. Though now living in Pendleton, Oregon, she still ventured back for this year's celebration.
"Since you are completely covered and not supposed to talk, it is fun to see people's reaction to your creation. I do talk to people, and they are always amazed that I am from the USA and do this every year," Rose said.
While all the ladies love posing for photographs, appearing in books and various media, and receiving prints from professional photographers, their real passion is the costumes themselves.
"Costuming is an art, creating an illusion and becoming a different personality," Dauber said. "It becomes an addiction. You can't go into a home décor or lumberyard without seeing possibilities."
Her colleagues agree. Nancy Carillo, Information Specialist at Rainbow Elementary School in Ansbach, has been participating in Carnevale for 10 years and said she once made a hat from a lampshade.
"I've put bowls on my head in a store and ended up using it as a hat base," added Cindy Peterson, art teacher at Lakenheath High School in London. "I've used Christmas tree skirts as a short cape and table runners as vests."
Peterson began attending Carnevale 15 years ago while stationed at Schweinfurt, but she has returned to Venice every year even while living in Japan and England. She makes two costumes a year and said each one can require 150 hours to complete.
"I love the making of the costumes as a creative outlet so different from anything I have ever done," she said. "And you get to go to Venice!"
Peterson brought in Hohenfels Elementary School second grade teacher Kathryn Iacampo last year. The two met through an international historical recreation society where they both shared a passion for costumes.
Iacampo said attending Carnevale in costume was definitely on her "bucket list."
"I went last year with an Elizabethan-era gown I had made for a historical group," she said. "This year, I really wanted to go back with a costume I made from scratch specifically for Carnevale where I could unleash my creativity and not be limited by adherence to historical patterns and designs."
While she enjoys looking at the multitudes of costumes as much as any of the thousands of other tourists, Iacampo said that being an active participant in the celebration is a special thrill.
"I've always loved playing dress up, and wearing the costumes here I really feel like I am a part of the magic and mystery that is Carnevale," she said.
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