This Tuesday the Venice Carnival 2023 will end and, after almost using up the two weeks it lasts, one of the best moments has to do with the appearance of the Pantegano.

What is Pantegana? In short, the Pantegana has been the symbol of the carnival for more than two decades. Every year, a boat decorated with a giant rat carcass leads one of the most important parades at the opening of the carnival on the Grand Canal.

One of the first events of the 2023 carnival was a rowing parade led by a cardboard Pantegana 7 meters long. Participated actors, artists and rowers dressed for the occasion.

The Pantegana was conceived and given as a gift 25 years ago by John Justthe councilor for the protection of traditions, who considers the animal a “symbol of Venice” because “it doesn’t give up and it doesn’t die”.

In 2016, for example, a marsh was seen throwing balloons and smoke into the Cannaregio canal at the end of the traditional carnival opening regatta.

The 2023 edition started on February 4 with the theme “Take your time for the original signs” inspired by the signs of the zodiac.

no more confetti

Since February 11, the city of Venice has banned the use of confetti and other plastic toys in its carnival, with fines of up to 500 eurosto prevent it from contaminating its emblematic canals and lagoon.

The mayor of this World Heritage City, Louis Brugnarosigned a ban on throwing “plastic confetti and other similar products” as streamers throughout the municipality during the carnival, until 21 February.

Failure to comply with this measure will result in fines ranging from 25 to 500 euros. “The dispersion of these products on public land dirty the streets, squares, sidewalks and other places, clogging the drains in case of rain with the consequent environmental contamination in the canals”, reads the ordinance.

The Councilor for the Environment, Maximilian DeMartinhe asked for the collaboration of those who come to enjoy the carnival because, although the provision only concerns public spaces, it also requires “responsible behavior in the private sphere”.