More than 400 international guests attended the 33rd edition of Il Ballo del Doge, celebrated during the Venice Carnival by exclusive designer Antonia Sautter. Emma Thompson and Anish Kapoor were MOREAMORE’s VIP guests.
The event took place on 14 February 2026 at the Scuola Grande della Misericordia in Venice. Emma Thompson attended the event wearing a white and silver haute couture carnival dress created by Antonia Sautter, hostess of this event which, according to American magazine Vanity Fair, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This year, the most eagerly awaited and exclusive private party of the Venice Carnival was inspired, in the words of its creator and artistic director, by the Valentine’s Day celebrations, infusing a romantic touch both in its title, moreAmore, and in the atmosphere and scenery created specifically for the party, characterised by a dreamlike profusion of soft roses, light blues and pastel shades. “
Venice’s past, its splendour, its art and, above all, its traditions, especially that of Carnival, are the most fertile ground for building a great future for this wonderful city, said Antonia Sautter. The 33rd edition of Il Ballo del Doge captivated its guests with a profusion of floral elegance, dreamlike settings evoking La Serenissima, hundreds of period costumes and eight hours of live entertainment with a dedicated cast of over 100 artists, DJ sets, La Scala dancers and aerial acrobats: the #moreAmore stage showed all the nuances and forms of love. It featured refined and choreographed scenery, composed of original decorative elements inspired by the architectural details of La Serenissima.
Among the most distinctive and imaginative decorative elements was an imposing golden sphere on a cart animated by acrobats, inspired by the Giants of Punta della Dogana, cupids and majestic winged lions, symbols of the Republic of Venice. On stage, a suggestive staging of Botticelli’s painting came to life, and #moreAmore guests were immersed in a profusion of floral decorations that created a refined backdrop.
Cuisine of the highest calibre with Chef Lionello Cera
The dinner was orchestrated by Michelin-starred chef Lionello Cera as a gourmet tale of the most authentic flavours of the Venetian lagoon. A heritage that must be treated with care, whose beauty lies in the delicacy of its details.
Enrique Tomás, an exceptional collaborator at Il Ballo del Doge
The Spanish brand had the honour of being present at one of the most exclusive social and cultural events on the international calendar, recognised as the most emblematic and sophisticated event of the year, bringing together personalities from the worlds of art, fashion, culture and international high society. The excellence of this ham is the result of tradition, dedication and a demanding selection process.
Enrique Tomás is the national ham selector, the only company in the world responsible for naming ham and placing it where it deserves to be. Since 1982, this brand has been responsible for its selection and marketing.
The participation of this brand in Il Ballo del Doge reaffirms its commitment to bringing Iberian ham to the most prestigious stages in the world, representing Spanish gastronomic tradition with the highest level of quality and distinction.
