Hundreds of thousands of people crowded the canals, bridges and squares of Venice to watch the opening ceremony for the Venice carnival.The 2010 carnival is this year based around the theme of Sensation, 6 senses for 6 districts and is an attraction for tourists and locals alike who stroll around the Venetian streets wearing masks and extravagant costumes. Despite the financial crisis, the feast of Carnival seems to survive as people save money by wearing home-made masks.The carnival was first celebrated more than 1,000 years ago as a pagan ritual but was soon turned into a lavish celebration before the Christian period of Lent.To mark the official opening of the carnival an angel, this year Bianca Brandolini d'Adda member of the prestigious Agnelli family, swooped down from the 99-metre high bell-tower in St. Mark's square.The carnival would continue for ten days.
