Every two years in September, the city of Ludwigsburg (which is about a 20-30 minute drive from Stuttgart) holds a Venetian Fair, or the Venezianische Messe Ludwigsburg. The last time we were in Ludwigsburg was for last year's pumpkin festival--which actually kicks of in a few weeks (we'll definitely be going again!). In any case, the festival dates all the way back to 1768 during Charles Eugene's (Duke of Wurttemburg) reign. He thoroughly enjoyed his trips to Venice as well as the Venetian masked balls and decided to bring the show to his home in Ludwigsburg. He held the first show in 1768 in celebration of his 40th birthday. The celebration was a three-day period that he held over and over again.
In 1992, the tradition was revived. As I said, the event is held every two years over a three-day period in September. There is a masked feast on the streets as well as a marketplace with many attractions and events. People show up wearing ornate and colorful masks and outfits. I even read that people have to apply to participate and if they make it, they get in for free.
We went on Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful, hot day and it wasn't very crowded. We actually left before things got busy. I had other friends who attended later than we did and got so many more pictures of better costumes than the ones we saw, but we still saw some good stuff.
What an explosion of color! I was going goo-goo ga-ga over the masks, but actually held off on buying any. They were selling for three times what you can get them for in Venice. Seriously! I'm going to buy them when we make a trip out there.
We went on Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful, hot day and it wasn't very crowded. We actually left before things got busy. I had other friends who attended later than we did and got so many more pictures of better costumes than the ones we saw, but we still saw some good stuff.
What an explosion of color! I was going goo-goo ga-ga over the masks, but actually held off on buying any. They were selling for three times what you can get them for in Venice. Seriously! I'm going to buy them when we make a trip out there.
Vaiosina clearly wanted nothing to do with these characters. I mean, she was a tad bit hot. Even I was pretty sweaty. Frankly, these masked people freaked her out. Whenever one came into full view, she hid her face in her stroller as seen here. Poor girl. Halloween's not looking too good right now.
I'm glad we were stationed here in time to see one of these!
Now, I still have to go back and post about our summer leave. I'll try to do it soon!
Now, I still have to go back and post about our summer leave. I'll try to do it soon!
