European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 28, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse I t a l y the season of the Venice getting its oars tuned up for yearly boat races is photos by j. Kin Cruger by j. Kin Cruger Northern Italy Bureau nine times a year Venice taps into its watery traditions and is at its vibrant Best. It is. Then that Venice stages its famed regattas or rowing races. The most famous and spectacular of the. Events is the re gats Sturica or historical regatta. Held annually on the first sunday in september sept. A this Yea the historical regatta is not Only a series of races but is one of Europe s greatest spectacles. Grace and Gilt reign Over the historical regatta. The regatta is preceded by a Parade. Not any old Parade mind you but a waterborne procession much like those that accompanied a 16th-Century regatta. The Parade assembles in the Seaway just beyond St. Mark s Square. Generally it gets under Way around 3 p.m., and lasts for about an hour. ,.- t venetian patricians were obsessed with Gold and this obsession is kept alive by the gilded processional Craft on and by Gold costumed rowers. The Parade makes its stately Way Down the nearly mile-Long, Palace lined grand canal surely the most Beautiful main Street c Earth. A. Even before the Parade is glimpsed it can be fanfares and Drums announce the arrival of the Lead Craft the Gold leafed la Sereni Sima the largest of the Parade boats. Pulled by Many liveried oarsmen and loaded with men and women in historic finery the magnificent Barge sweeps past with a Rush of water and surprising swiftness. Other Graceful barges slide by followed by scores of gondolas and other typical venetian Craft some of astonishing size. Bringing up the rear of the Parade Are scores of decorated boats owned by gondoliers and fishermen. V the Parade makes its Way up the grand canal and then returns to Moor at Vantage Points near the finish line for the rowing races. Races Are run in a variety of Craft. Some Are Many continue Don Page 14/15 apnl28, 7994 stripes Magazine 13
