We welcome Mike Padden’s to talk about “Carnival Masks of Venice” he takes members on a journey into the history and spectacle of Venice’s famous carnival. He will explain how the carnival first began, how it allowed Venetians to put aside their social differences, and how the wearing of masks gave freedom and anonymity to all. The talk looks at the main styles of mask such as the Bauta, Volto, and Moretta, and what each one represented. He also explores the skills of the Venetian mask-makers, the guilds that supported them, and the artistry that went into each design. Alongside this, he shows how carnival was a time for theatre, music, and pageantry, with elaborate balls and colourful street scenes filling the city. The story continues with the festival’s decline, suppression, and its modern revival from 1979, when it returned as one of the great cultural events of Europe. With striking images and lively anecdotes, Mike captures both the atmosphere of old Venice and the excitement of today’s carnival.