Thousands of people revelled in the start of the annual Carnival celebrations in Venice on Saturday, marking a slow return to normality after the Covid-19 pandemic hit the two previous editions.

The 2020 Venice Carnival, which usually draws tourists from around the world, was curtailed when the pandemic broke out in Italy in February that year, then cancelled the next year as the government sought to contain infections.

“This is the carnival of hope,” said Venice resident Cristian Scalise. “Covid is ending and we hope to return to our life as always.”..