ALL THAT ZAZZ

By Mary N. DiZazzo

No need to wear makeup when you'll be wearing a mask for Carnevale!

Ciao bella,
Marilyn and Mary
Here is a bit of history of Carnevale in which many participated in this past week! In the year 1162 in Venice the Carnevale of Venice was born. Originating from a victory of the "Repubblica della Aquileia" which was Venice's original home. So, in defeating the Patriarch of Aquileia that year the victory was honored with a festival of dancing and reunions celebrated in San Mark's Square!

This annual Carnevale Festival held in Venice, Italy starts 58 days before Easter and ends on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday or Martedi Grasso), the day before Ash Wednesday.

Masks being a tradition of celebration of many sizes and names depending on coverage of the face are worn at Carnevale. The mask would hide the wearer's identity and social status permitting the wearer to mingle among high society and his peers with no recognition. These encounters could be used as personal, criminal or romantic intentions. Romantic intentions such as the masked ball in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet!

This past weekend ITALIA UNITA of East Boston showed us a taste of Carnevale! Full screening of actual festival parade in Venice during Carnevale was shown! Dancing and traditional music was enjoyed by all. Real and colorful paper mâché items were on display! The giant cannoli was my fav! Coffee and drinks were served with Pignolata (a Sicilian specialty) and Chiacchiere literally translated into "chatter," "chit chat" or "gossip" however is a strip of sweet pastry dough fried and coated with sugar! It was sheer delight as we chatted with all our friends as we enter the solemn Lenten season!

Thanks Lisa for all your work!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

--Mary N. DiZazzo-Trumbull


Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.allthatzazz.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com.