00:00Making a grand entrance on the Grand Canal at the Venice Carnival.
00:05Veronica Doria is one of this year's twelve Marias.
00:09Their parade through town in historic costumes is one of the annual festival's highlights.
00:16I feel amazing in this dress.
00:19I never want to take it off.
00:22But who are these Marias and what is their historical significance?
00:27We followed this young Italian woman through carnival celebrations to find out what it
00:32means to step into this role.
00:36Hi, my name is Veronica Doria.
00:39I'm 26 years old, a nurse, and I was born in Venice.
00:43This is my city and I've always wanted to be a Maria.
00:48Veronica works at Venice's Municipal Hospital and lives in the very neighborhood where the
00:52story of the Marias was born.
00:58I've always known the story of the Marias.
01:00It's very dear to my heart.
01:03Ever since I was a child, we've always watched the traditional parade.
01:07I wanted to be a Maria for years.
01:10But until last year I weighed about a hundred kilos.
01:13I didn't think it was right for me to be among the best women representing Venice, at least
01:18not yet.
01:20After losing some weight, Veronica decided to apply and got her spot.
01:25She was chosen from 50 applicants.
01:27Today she's finally stepping into a 16th-century style dress.
01:32I was a bit concerned it wouldn't be a good fit, but it's actually very comfortable.
01:37To be a Maria, you have to be between 18 and 28 years old, live in Venice or have been
01:42born here and be selected by a jury of prominent members of Venetian public life.
01:50I think the selection is about more than physical beauty.
01:54It's about personality, authenticity, empathy, and what connects us to this city.
02:03The procession of the Marias commemorates a dramatic event from the Middle Ages.
02:07Over 1,000 years ago, pirates abducted 12 young women from this church during their wedding celebrations.
02:14The doge, or the ruler of Venice, along with the city's residents chased after them and managed to rescue the
02:21women.
02:22It all happened during carnival, so now people celebrate the rescue and marriages of the 12 girls with the Feast
02:28of the Marias in carnival season.
02:33Back then, the Marias appeared before their weddings in a public procession.
02:37The doge and wealthy Venetians gifted them dresses, jewelry, and dowries.
02:45Today, the Marias travel by gondola along the Grand Canal to St. Mark's Square and draw in many tourists.
02:55People had celebrated the Feast of the Marias up until the late Middle Ages, then dropped the tradition for centuries.
03:01Carnival organizers revived it in 1999.
03:05Spectators from around the world wait eagerly for the presentation of the 12 chosen Marias.
03:13For Veronica, a long-awaited moment has arrived.
03:17Veronica Doria, 26 years old, from Venice.
03:23Veronica's family have all come to see her big moment.
03:28This is my mother. These are my grandmothers.
03:33We're very proud.
03:36Elaborate costumes and masks are everywhere at the Venice Carnival.
03:41So, why don't the Marias wear masks?
03:46We don't need masks. The Marias are real. We don't have to pretend.
03:54And they do more than just smile and wave.
03:57The Marias also support causes throughout Venice.
04:00Cleaning historic monuments, for instance.
04:02But not in their exquisite costumes, of course.
04:06At the end of Carnival, organizers elect one of them as Maria of the Year.
04:10She then serves as an ambassador for Venice until the next Carnival.
04:16Being able to represent my city would be a huge honor.
04:21Becoming Maria of the Year would be the perfect ending for me as one of the 12 Marias.
04:30With or without a title, her greatest dream has already come true.
04:34With or without a title, her best friend.
04:40You
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