We look marvelous: women of the Sensa, 2009
May 26, 2009 Events & Offerings, Vita venexiàn
Look over these splendid, up-close photos from the Festa della Sensa, taken from on, near, and beyond the galley, the Serenissima. We women once again had the privilege of rowing this prestigious craft on a truly spectacular, if only potentially sizzling, day. The mayor couldn’t make it, but we had plenty of dignitaries form the Comune aboard, including the Assessore Salvadori. Lofty breezes rescued us from potential heatstroke (although that didn’t keep me from the voglia fare un bel bagno in the inviting lagoon waters).
The photo below will link you to the vogavenezia.com website of the Coordinamento Nazionale Associazione Remiere, who is responsible for the photographs…and the video that will appear there soon. (And in case you were wondering, the photo of the bare foot with no nail polish is mine.)
Voga Venezia: Festa della Sensa 2009
Take particular notice of the taxi and the RAI camera that smashed up against the Serenissima so they could get “the” shot, to such a degree that it was impossible to row the boat. Un po’ di rispetto! “A little respect, please,” called Giusto from the helm. We know perfectly well that camera has a zoom…what was the point? Chi se frega is the phrase that seems to embody the attitude of the taxi and his shooter (which translates to something like Maude’s famous, “Who cares, Walter”).
Have you seen the preview of the documentary-in-progress, Beyond the Gondola?
Program, Festa della Sensa, 2009
May 22, 2009 Events & Offerings
Below is the official program for the Festa della Sensa, Venezia, 2009. The sposalizio del mare, or marriage to the sea, will be held on Lido in front of the Church of San Nicolo. See the original program here, or download the pdf in English and Italian.
This year, it will be an all-female crew rowing the Serenissima with the mayor, assessore, and other officials aboard. It’s quite an honor; let’s hope the heat is not too intense (it is predicted to be). Fortunately, we’ll not have to be in costume, so that should provide some relief.
Marriage to the sea…I do wish they’d take their vows a bit more seriously. In the meantime, it should be quite the celebration.
SATURDAY, May 23rd
17.30
Venezia, Palazzo Ducale Presentation, Festa della Sensa 2009
- The affirmation of the Adriatic alliance: la Provincia di Bergamo, i Comuni della Gera d’Adda, i Comuni e le Comunità Montane della Val Seriana e della Val Brembana
- Awarding of the ‘Osella d’Oro,’ Sensa 2009
- Corteo ducale procession in Piazza San Marco
14.00-19.00 Lido di Venezia, Chiostro di S. Nicolò, Mercatino della Sensa
SUNDAY, May 24th
9.30-19.00 Mercatino della Sensa, Lido di Venezia, Chiostro di S. Nicolò
9.15
Gathering of galleys and craft in the Bacino di San Marco
9.45
Departure of the Corteo for S. Nicolò, Lido
(Free navetta from the Alilaguna doc (ex Giardinetti Reali), returns from Lido at 12:45)
10.30
The Ceremony of the Marriage to the Sea in front of the Chiesa di San Nicolò on Lido
Departure from the Bacino, Youth Regata in pupparini
11.00
Departure from the Bacino, Regata della Sensa in gondole with 4 oars
Route: Bacino di San Marco – Riviera San Nicolò
11.15
Mass, Church of San Nicolò, Lido
12.00
Award ceremony, regate
12.30-18.00
Festa al Forte di Sant’Andrea, concert by Lagunaria at 14.30
(free navetta round trip from San Nicolò, operating dalle 12.00 alle 18.30)
17.00
Lido, Church of S. Nicolò
Spiritual concert, venetian music from the 1600s
Tags: marriage to the sea, Sensa, serenissima, sposalizio, venice
