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>>17950771
>Despite its centuries of grandeur, the Venetian Carnival declined in the 18th century with the fall of the Venetian Republic to Napoleon in 1797. The new rulers sought to curb the excesses and secrecy of masked revelry, effectively banning the festival. After nearly two centuries of dormancy, Venice revived Carnival in 1979, recognizing its historical and cultural importance

During carnival the insanity was turned up a notch or three.

>The priests wear masks during mass, they dance in the choir dressed as women, matchmakers or minstrels and singing outrageous songs. On the altar they eat black pudding and fat sausages. They roll dices and old shoes are burned instead of incense. Also there is running and jumping by them inside the church. After this mass they go out on the streets in their disguises. With carts and wagons they roam through the city, and give shameless performances to excite the laughter of the audience, which they also further incite with filthy songs and obscene gestures

>Like now the carnaval in the Middle Ages reached the highlight in the three days before the beginning of lent. During this period, the city officially handed over the power to "Prince Carnaval" Momus and the social revolution was complete. Because of the anonymity offered by the costumes, rank and position were no longer important and one could freely express his opinion and mock anything and anyone. In particular, the nobility, clergy and the wealthy citizens were mocked and ridiculed