Every year, the Venice Historical Regatta brings one of the city’s most spectacular and iconic traditions to the Grand Canal.
The historical procession, the boats, the colours and the races all tell an important part of Venice’s identity. But when the audience comes from all over the world, truly experiencing the event also means understanding its meaning.
That is where language comes in.
Giving Venice a Voice for an International Audience
For six years, Elena Finco was the English-language voice of the Historical Regatta for international spectators, guiding foreign visitors through the key moments of the event.
Her role was not simply to translate information, but to make the context, traditions and different stages of the regatta accessible to people who might have been experiencing Venice for the very first time.
Explaining an event so deeply rooted in local culture requires much more than language skills: it takes preparation, the ability to summarise quickly, adaptability and close attention to everything happening live.
Interpreting an Event Means Becoming Part of It
During a live event, things can change very quickly.
The timing of the races, cues from the production team, the passage of the boats and the different stages of the programme all require concentration and the ability to adapt in real time.
The interpreter therefore becomes a bridge between what is happening and the people watching, turning information and cultural details into a clear and immediate narrative.
When Language Becomes Part of the Experience
In tourism and international events, communication is never secondary.
Understanding what is happening allows the audience to feel more involved, appreciate the history of the place and experience the event in a more authentic way.
For Finking, Elena’s involvement in the Historical Regatta is a perfect example of this approach: putting language skills at the service of culture, the local area and the people who come to experience it.
Because telling the story of Venice in another language does not simply mean translating it. It means helping those who come from far away feel, even if only for a few hours, a little closer to the city.
