Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February or March. Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. It typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus and public street party. A party is a Social gathering for Celebration and Recreation. A parade (also called march or marchpast) is a procession of people usually organized along a street often in Costume, and often accompanied by Fire A circus is most commonly a traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, Clowns trained animals trapeze acts Hoopers, tightrope walkers People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations. A masquerade ball (or bal masqué) is an event which the participants attend in Costume wearing a Mask.
Carnaval is mostly associated with Roman Catholic and, to a lesser extent, Eastern Orthodox Christians; Protestant areas usually do not have carnival celebrations or have modified traditions, like the Danish Carnaval. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. The Danish word for Carnival is Fastelavn. This is a Low Saxon (“ Low German ” loanword imported from Northern Germany: Fastelavend The world's largest carnival celebration is held in Brazil but many countries worldwide have large, popular celebrations, such as Carnaval of Venice. The Brazilian Carnival, or Carnaval (Carnaval is an annual festival in Brazil held 4 days before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Carnival of Venice (in Italian: Carnevale Di Venezia) was first recorded in 1268.
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Length and individual holidays
Depending on the area, the carnival may last from a few weeks to several months. While its starting day varies, it usually ends on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. In the Ambrosian rite of Milan (Italy), the carnival ends on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, and in the area of Eastern Christianity, it ends on the Sunday seven weeks before Easter, since in Eastern tradition lent begins on Clean Monday. This article is about the history and the current form of Ambrosian Rite for an explanation of the form of this Rite used before the Vatican-II see Traditional Ambrosian Rite Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Clean Monday ( Greek: Καθαρά Δευτέρα also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent or (in Cyprus only
Most commonly the season begins on Septuagesima, the third Sunday before Ash Wednesday, but in some places it starts as early as Twelfth Night or even in November. Septuagesima (in full Septuagesima Sunday) an observance dropped from the calendar as revised by the Second Vatican Council but still in use in the traditional calendars Twelfth Night is a holiday in some branches of Christianity marking the coming of the Epiphany, concluding the Twelve Days of Christmas, and The most important celebrations are generally concentrated during the last days of the season.
The following holidays, which are all part of the seven days before Ash Wednesday, often have special customs:
- Quinquagesima, the Sunday, when often a break from the festivities occurs;
- Shrove Monday or Lundi Gras or Rosenmontag, in many areas the high point of the festivities;
- Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) or Fastnacht, the high point of the festivities when, according to many traditions, preparations for the parties are made, such as baking goods. Quinquagesima is the name for the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Monday, sometimes known as Collop Monday, Rose Monday, Merry Monday or Hall Monday, is the Monday before Ash Wednesday Rosenmontag (which means "running Monday" from the Kölsch word roose (run and not Roses' Monday is the highlight of the German "Karneval" ( Carnival Shrove Tuesday is the term used in Ireland the United Kingdom Australia and Canada to refer to the day after Shrove Monday (or the more old fashioned Collop Monday " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. Fastnacht or Fasnacht is the pre-Lenten Carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace
History
An inspiration for the carnival lies in the fact that during Lent, traditionally no parties may be held and many foods, such as meat, are forbidden; the forty days of Lent serve to commemorate the Passion of Jesus. This article describes the Christian Passion For other meanings see Passion. It is natural for people to have the desire to hold a large celebration at the last possible opportunity before fasting. Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all Food, Drink, or both for a period of time
Parts of the carnival traditions, however, likely reach back to pre-Christian times. The ancient Roman festival of the Saturnalia is a probable origin of the Italian Carnival. Saturnalia is the feast with which the Romans commemorated the dedication of the temple of the god Saturn The Saturnalia, in turn, may be based on the Greek Dionysia and Oriental festivals. The Dionysia was a large religious festival in ancient Athens in honor of the god Dionysus, the central event of which was the performance of tragedies While medieval pageants and festivals such as Corpus Christi were church sanctioned celebrations, carnival was a representation of medieval folk culture. A Medieval pageant is a form of Procession traditionally associated with both secular and religious Rituals often with a narrative structure Corpus Christi ( Latin for Body of Christ) is a Christian feast. Many local carnival customs are also based on local pre-Christian rituals, for example the elaborate rites involving masked figures in the Swabian-Alemannic carnival. Fastnacht or Fasnacht is the pre-Lenten Carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace
In Christianity, the most famous traditions, including parades and masquerading, are first attested from medieval Italy. A parade (also called march or marchpast) is a procession of people usually organized along a street often in Costume, and often accompanied by Fire A masquerade ball (or bal masqué) is an event which the participants attend in Costume wearing a Mask. The carnival of Venice was for a long time the most famous carnival. The Carnival of Venice (in Italian: Carnevale Di Venezia) was first recorded in 1268. From Italy, carnival traditions spread to Spain, Portugal, and France. From France, they spread to the Rhineland of Germany, and to New Orleans. The Rhineland ( Rheinland in German) is the general name for the land on both sides of the river Rhine in the west of Germany. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana From Spain and Portugal, they spread to Latin America. Many other areas have developed their own traditions.
Etymology
The origin of the name "carnival" is disputed. According to one theory, it comes from the Latin carrus navalis ("ship cart"),[1] referring to a cart in a religious parade, such as a cart in a religious procession at the annual festivities in honor of the god Apollo. Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. Other sources, however, suggest that the name comes from the Italian carne levare or similar, meaning "to remove meat", since meat is prohibited during Lent. Italian ( or lingua italiana) is a Romance language spoken by about 63 million people as a First language, primarily in Italy. [2] Another theory states that the word comes from the Late Latin expression carne vale, which means "farewell to meat", signifying that those were the last days when one could eat meat before the fasting of Lent. Yet another translation depicts carne vale as "a farewell to the flesh", a phrase embraced by certain carnival celebrations that encourage letting go of your former (or everyday) self and embracing the carefree nature of the festival.
Asia
India
In India, the Carnival is celebrated in two states: Goa and Kerala.
Goa (which was a Portuguese colony) has a long tradition of celebrating "Carnivaal" with colorful masks and floats. Goa ( Konkani: गोंय /ɡɔ̃j/ is India 's smallest state in terms of area and the fourth smallest in terms of population. The city of Loutulim has the largest Carnival which sees merry residents gathered on the streets amid beating of drums and reverberating music. The celebrations run three days culminating in a carnival parade on fat Tuesday. There is participation of a large number of tourists. Dance troupes performed skits before throwing water on each other. After the revelry, song and dance, great food and good wine come together beautifully. After partying, the crowds enjoy a delightful Goan cuisine at a buffet dinner.
In contrast, the state of Kerala has very different celebrations. Kerala ( Malayalam: {{Kerala in Malayalam}}; The festival is called "Raasa" (means fun in Sanskrit and in early malayalam). No masks are worn, but there is music and festivities, sometimes with fireworks. The Raasas are organized on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday by local catholic churches, and usually culminate in a public mass or a mass conducted in the church. Even though mostly Syrian or Roman catholic Christians only take part in Raasa Parade (which is considered the religious part), both Hindus and Muslims join to watch and join the public mass by Christians in the festivities. There is no food at the end of the celebration but there are fireworks organized by some churches. People however offer half boiled or raw rice for the "Chembeduppu" ceremony in large copper vessels ("Chembu") kept at the Church. The copper vessels carrying the half-boiled rice were taken out in a Raasa procession by the faithfuls with traditional Church orchestra playing the accompaniment. The golden and the silver cross as well as the Papal and Catholicate flags were also taken out with the Raasa procession.
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the city of Ljubuški has a traditional carnival (Bosnian:Karneval). Ljubuški is a town and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the western part of Herzegovina. Bosnian language (Bosnian bosanski jezik) sometimes referred as Bosniak language or Bosniac language is a South Slavic language native Ljubuški is city member of the FECC or Federation of European Carnival Cites.
Croatia
The Croatian city of Rijeka has a long and rich tradition of celebrating the time of the Carnival (Croatian: "karneval", but the period is also often called "maškare"). Croatia (Hrvatska ˈxȓvatska officially the Republic of Croatia ( Republika Hrvatska) is a southern Central European country at the crossroads between Rijeka (other Croatian dialects Rika and Reka, Reka Italian and Hungarian: Fiume, Sankt Veit am Pflaumb is During the Carnival the mayor of Rijeka hands over the keys of the city to the master of the Carnival ("meštar od karnevala") and the spirit of the Carnival takes over completely. There are many festive events during the Carnival, and the culmination of them all is the famous masked procession held on the last Sunday of the Carnival. The procession is international, and there are participants from many different countries. There are many viewers and there are big tents put up in the city with food, drinks and music. There is also a masked procession for children, held on the Saturday of the week before the main procession.
Although the Rijeka carnival (Riječki karneval) is the most famous of all such manifestations in Croatia, most towns and villages of the Croatian Primorje region (the northern seaside region, also called Kvarner) observe the Carnival period in some way, and many areas of Primorje have their own special traditions (e. The Rijeka Carnival is held each year before the Lent in Rijeka, Croatia. The Kvarner Gulf ( Croatian: Kvarnerski zaljev, Italian: Golfo del Quarnero/Quarnaro/Carnaro; sometimes also Kvarner Bay) is a g. "maškaroni" in the Novi Vinodolski area). The Carnival is a time filled with local traditions so the entire region enjoys a much higher than usual amount of exposure to local food, local music and the local non-standard variety of the Croatian language: "čakavština"(just about everything about "karneval" is handled speaking in "čakavština"). Croatian language ( hrvatski jezik) is a South Slavic language which is used primarily in Croatia, by Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina in neighbouring
Just before the end of the Carnival and the beginning of Lent, every town in the region of Kvarner burns its own man-like doll, called "mesopust" or shorter "pust", which is "blamed" for all the bad events of the previous year and given an ironic name, usually alluding to politics. Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions
One of the most famous traditions of "karneval" are "zvončari" (bell-ringers). Some of them are also called "dondolaši". They take part in many of the period's festivities and "zvončari of Halubje" are the last group of the main procession of the Carnival of Rijeka. They are men with loud bells attached to them, thick pieces of wood in their hands, sailor T-shirts and some kind of head regalia. The kind of head regalia they wear depends on where they are from - those from Halubje, who are the most renowned, wear large heads, reminiscent of animal heads, and those from Zamet, for example wear large cone-shaped regalia covered with floral decorations. The tradition of "zvončari" is a long-standing one and started many centuries ago when men ritually tried to scare winter away with animal-like "heads" and ringing bells loudly in a manner which was meant to induce fear.
The population enjoys the many concerts and parties of the period, sporting many various non-traditional masks. Most schools allow students and faculty to be masked for a day, and elementary schools organize dances. Masked children go trick-or-treating. The traditional Carnival food, such as "fritule", is eaten.
Although the Carnival traditions of Kvarner are the most renowned ones, there are other Carnival traditions and manifestations in Croatia, most notably those of "poklade" and "fašnik", pertaining to regions in inner Croatia. The most notable are the festivities of the area of the town Samobor.
Cyprus
Limassol holds the largest annual carnival in the island of Cyprus. Limassol or Lemesos ( Greek: Λεμεσός, Lemesos; Turkish: Limasol, alt Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía [3]
Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, the Masopust festival takes place from Epiphany (Den tří králů) until Ash Wednesday (Popeleční středa). The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays The word masopust translates literally from old Czech to mean "goodbye to meat" and the festival often includes a pork feasts in preparation for Lent. Czech (ˈʧɛk čeština ˈʧɛʃcɪna in Czech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers it is the majority language in the The tradition is most common in Moravia but does occur in Bohemia as well. Moravia (Morava; Morawy Moravie Moravia is a historical region in central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, one of the former Czech lands. Bohemia (Čechy; Bohemia Czechy is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands, currently the While tradition varies from region to region, masks and costumes are present everywhere.
Germany and Austria
Germany, especially the western part (North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate) is famous for Karneval celebrations such as parades and costume balls. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen usually shortened to NRW, official short form NW is the westernmost and - in terms of population and economic output - the Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz is one of the 16 federal states (German Bundesländer) of Germany. Whilst these events are widespread in places such as Wattenscheid, Krefeld, Aachen, Mönchengladbach, Duisburg, Bonn, Eschweiler, Odenheim, Bocholt and Cleves, only Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz are called carnival "strongholds" in the public media. Wattenscheid was once a separate town in the North Rhine-Westphalia region of Germany. History The origins of the town were in Roman times when the legions founded the military camp of Gelduba (today the borough of Gellep ( Ripuarian: Oche, Dutch: Aken, Spanish: Aquisgrán, Italian: Aquisgrana, French, Mönchengladbach (mœnçənˈglatbax is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Duisburg (ˈdyːsbʊɐ̯k is a German city in the western part of the Ruhr Area ( Ruhrgebiet) in North Rhine-Westphalia. Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located about 20 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia Eschweiler (ˈɛʃvaɪlɐ is a municipality in the district of Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany on the river Inde, near There are two towns called Bocholt: Bocholt Germany Bocholt Belgium Cleves redirects here for the Duchy of Cleves and the conjoined states of Jülich-Cleves-Berg, see those articles Düsseldorf (ˈdʏsəldɔɐf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Mainz (ˈmaɪ̯nʦ (Mayence is a City in Germany and the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In parts of East and South Germany and Austria the carnival is called Fasching and especially Munich developed a special kind of celebration. Munich (München; Minga is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. In Franconia and the southwest-parts and also some other parts of Germany a carnival is called Fastnacht' or Fasnet. Franconia (Franken is a historic region of Germany comprising the northern parts of the modern state of Bavaria and the area to its immediate west
Although the festival and party season in Germany starts as early as the beginning of January, the actual carnival week starts on the Thursday ("Altweiberfastnacht") before Ash Wednesday. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays German Carnival parades are held on the weekend before and especially on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the day before Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes also on Shrove Tuesday ("Faschingsdienstag") in the suburbs of larger carnival cities. The carnival session begins each year on 11 November at 11:11 a. Events 308 - The Congress of Carnuntum: Attempting to keep peace within the Roman Empire, the leaders of the Tetrarchy declare m. and finishes on Ash Wednesday. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Most festivities happen around Rosenmontag; this time is also called the Fifth Season.
Rhineland
In the Rhineland festivities developed especially strongly, since it was a way to express subversive anti-Prussian and anti-French thoughts in times of occupation, through parody and mockery. The Rhineland ( Rheinland in German) is the general name for the land on both sides of the river Rhine in the west of Germany. Prussia ( Latin: Borussia, Prutenia; Prūsija Prūsija Prusy Old Prussian: Prūsa) was most recently a historic state Modern carnival there began in 1823 with the founding of a Carnival Club in Cologne. Year 1823 ( MDCCCXXIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common Most cities and villages of the Rhineland have their own individual Carnival traditions. Nationally famous is the Carnival in Cologne (Köln), Düsseldorf and Mainz. The Cologne carnival is a Carnival that takes place every year in Cologne, Germany. Düsseldorf (ˈdʏsəldɔɐf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Mainz (ˈmaɪ̯nʦ (Mayence is a City in Germany and the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
In the Rhineland, the Carnival season is considered to be the "fifth season of the year", starting at November 11th at exactly 11:11 a. m. (elften elften elf uhr elf- starting time in German) -clubs organize "sessions" which are show events called Prunksitzung with club members or invited guests performing dance, comedy and songs in costumes.
The main event is the street carnival that takes place in the period between the Thursday before Ash Wednesday and Ash Wednesday. Carnival Thursday is called "Altweiber" (old women) or "Wieverfastelovend" (The women's day), in many places Carnival-"fools" take over city halls or municipal government, "wild" women cut men's ties wherever they get hold of them. On the following days, there are parades in the street organized by the local carnival clubs. The highlight of the carnival period however is Rose Monday. Rose Monday is not officially a holiday in the Rhineland, but it is in practice, as most public life comes to a rest and almost all workplaces are closed and shops are only open in the morning or not at all. The biggest parades are on Rose Monday, the famous "Rosenmontagszug" (Rose Monday Parade), e. g. in Cologne, Düsseldorf and many other cities. During these events, hundreds of thousands of people celebrate in the streets at low temperatures, most of them dressed up in costumes. Almost every town has a special carnival cry (Düsseldorf and Mainz: Helau!; Cologne: Alaaf!; Mönchengladbach: Halt Pohl! (hold on to the pole); Rheydt: All Rheydt!). Düsseldorf (ˈdʏsəldɔɐf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Mainz (ˈmaɪ̯nʦ (Mayence is a City in Germany and the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Mönchengladbach (mœnçənˈglatbax is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Rheydt (ˈʁaɪt is a borough of the German city Mönchengladbach, located in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Alemannic Fastnacht
The "Swabian-Alemannic" carnival begins on January 6 (Epiphany/Three Kings Day). Fastnacht or Fasnacht is the pre-Lenten Carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace Swabia, Suabia, or Svebia ( German: Schwaben, Schwabenland or Ländle) is both a historic and linguistic Alemannic German ( Alemannisch) is a group of Dialects of the Upper German branch of the Germanic language family. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of This celebration is known as Fastnacht. Fastnacht or Fasnacht is the pre-Lenten Carnival in Alemannic folklore in Switzerland, southern Germany, Alsace Variants are Fasnet, Fasnacht or Fasent. Fastnacht is held in Baden-Württemberg, parts of Bavaria, and Alsace. Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states ( Bundesländer) of the Federal Republic of Germany. Bavaria ( German:, with an area of 70553 Km² (27241 square miles and almost 12 Alsace (Alsace alzas Alsatian and Elsass pre-1996 German: Elsaß; Alsatia is one of the 26 Regions of France, located on the eastern Switzerland and Vorarlberg, in Austria, also hold this celebration. Switzerland (English pronunciation; Schweiz Swiss German: Schwyz or Schwiiz Suisse Svizzera Svizra officially the Swiss Confederation Vorarlberg is the westernmost state ( Land) of Austria. Though it is the second smallest in terms of area ( Vienna is the smallest it borders Austria (Österreich ( officially the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich The festival starts on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, known in these regions as Schmutziger Donnerstag or Fettdonnerstag. In standard German, schmutzig means "dirty", but actually the name is from the local dialect where schmutzig means "fat"; "Greasy Thursday" (also compare: "Mardi Gras" in New Orleans). The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. Elsewhere the day is called "Women's Carnival" (Weiberfastnacht), being the day when tradition says that women take control. In particular regions of Tyrol, Salzburg and Bavaria traditional processions of the Perchten welcome the springtime. Perchta or Berchta (English Bertha) also commonly known as Percht and other variations was once known as a Goddess in Southern The Schönperchten ("beautiful Perchts") represent the birth of new life in the awakening nature, the Schiachperchten ("ugly Perchts") represent the dark spirits of wintertime. Farmers yearn for warmer weather and the Perchtenlauf (Run of Perchts; typical scenery) is a magical expression of that desire. The nights between winter and spring, when evil ghosts are supposed to go around, are also called Rauhnächte ("rough nights"). Mask of an "ugly Percht"
England
In England, the season immediately before Lent was called Shrovetide. Shrove Tuesday is the term used in Ireland the United Kingdom Australia and Canada to refer to the day after Shrove Monday (or the more old fashioned Collop Monday England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland It was a time for confessing sins (shriving) with fewer festivities than the Continental Carnivals. The confession of one's Sins is a religious practice important to many faiths e Shrove Tuesday is celebrated as Pancake Day, but apart from the serving of pancakes and occasional pancake races and football matches (see Royal Shrovetide Football), little else of the Lent-related Shrovetide survived the English Reformation. Shrove Tuesday is the term used in Ireland the United Kingdom Australia and Canada to refer to the day after Shrove Monday (or the more old fashioned Collop Monday Pancakes are a type of Flatbread prepared from a sweet batter that is cooked on a hot Griddle or in a Frying pan. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered The Royal Shrovetide Football Match occurs annually on Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday in the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire, England The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th century England by which the Church of England first broke away from the authority of the Pope One of the few, if not the only, Shrovetide carnivals in the UK takes places in Cowes and East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is an English Seaport town on the Isle of Wight, an island south of Southampton. Cowes is an English Seaport town on the Isle of Wight, an island south of Southampton. The Isle of Wight is an English Island and county in the English Channel between three and five miles (8 km from the south coast of the This is the first carnival of the year on the Island, and is the start of a long and busy carnival calendar.
The traditional English carnivals take place later in the year, such as the West Country Carnival, associated with Guy Fawkes Night. The West Country Carnival is an annual celebration featuring a Parade of illuminated floats (termed "carts" locally in the English Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night, Cracker Night, Fireworks Night) is an annual celebration on the evening of the 5th of November London's has several major carnivals, such as the Notting Hill Carnival and the Carnaval Del Pueblo, both held in August. Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event which takes place on the streets of Notting Hill, London, UK each August over two days (Sunday The Carnaval del Pueblo is Europe's largest celebration of Latin American culture, held in Burgess Park, London on the first week of August Luton Carnival, begun 1976, is in May. Luton International Carnival in Luton, Bedfordshire is the largest one-day Carnival event in Europe.
Greece
Patras in the Peloponnese, holds the largest annual carnival in Greece, the famous Patras Carnival, with celebrations starting on the week before the beginning of Greek Orthodox Great Lent, which falls between February to March. The Patras Carnival, Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its kind in Greece and the biggest in Europe. The Patras Carnival, Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its kind in Greece and the biggest in Europe. Patras ( Demotic Greek: Πάτρα, Pátra, ˈpatra Classical Greek: Πάτραι, Pátrai, Patrae is Greece The Peloponnese or Peloponnesus ( Greek: Πελοπόννησος Pelopónnisos; see also List of Greek place names) is a large Peninsula Greece (Ελλάδα transliterated: Elláda, historically, Ellás,) officially the Hellenic Republic (Ελληνική Δημοκρατία The Patras Carnival, Patrino karnavali is the largest event of its kind in Greece and the biggest in Europe. The Greek Orthodox Church ( Greek: Ἑλληνορθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία Hellēnorthódoxē Ekklēsía) is formed by several autocephalous churches Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important Fasting season in the Church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians It is a ‘gran spettacolo’ that lasts three days and finishes on Clean Monday. Clean Monday ( Greek: Καθαρά Δευτέρα also known as Pure Monday, Ash Monday, Monday of Lent or (in Cyprus only
Also in many other regions festivities of smaller extent are organized, focused on the reenactment of traditional customs. Other important carnivals in Greece are these in Tyrnavos (Thessaly),Kozani (West Macedonia), Rethymno (Crete) and in Xanthi (East Macedonia and Thrace). Subdivisions Kritiri Lygaria Perichora Municipal districts Thessalia redirects here For the Butterfly Genus, see Thessalia (butterfly. Kozani (Κοζάνη is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani Prefecture and of West Macedonia Periphery. West Macedonia is one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece, consisting of the western part of the region of Macedonia. Rethymno ( Greek: Ρέθυμνο ˈreθimno also Rethimno, Rethymnon, Réthymnon, and Rhíthymnos) a city of approximately Crete ( Greek: Κρήτη transliteration: Krētē, modern transliteration Kriti) is the largest of the Greek islands and the Xanthi (Ξάνθη Xánthi, ˈksanθi is a city in northern Greece, in the East Macedonia and Thrace periphery East Macedonia and Thrace (Ανατολική Μακεδονία και Θράκη is one of the thirteen peripheries of Greece, consisting of the eastern
Hungary
In Mohács in Hungary, the Busójárás involves locals dressing up in woolly costumes, with scary masks and noise-makers. Mohács ( Croatian and Bunjevac: Mohač, Serbian: Мохач German: Mohatsch, Turkish: Mohaç Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic The Busójárás ( Hungarian, meaning "Busó-walking" is an annual celebration of the Šokci ( Croatians) living in the town of Mohács They perform a burial ritual to symbolise the end of winter and spike doughnuts on weapons to symbolise the defeat of Ottomans. A doughnut (also spelled "donut" is a sweet Deep-fried piece of Dough or batter. The Ottoman Empire (1299–1923 ( Old Ottoman Turkish: دولتْ علیّه عثمانیّه Devlet-i Âliye-yi Osmâniyye, Late Ottoman and Modern Turkish
Italy
- The carnival in Venice was first recorded in 1268. The Carnival of Venice (in Italian: Carnevale Di Venezia) was first recorded in 1268. Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the The subversive nature of the festival is reflected in the many laws created over the centuries in Italy attempting to restrict celebrations and often banning the wearing of masks. A mask is an artefact normally worn on the face typically for protection concealment performance or amusement
Masks have always been a central feature of the Venetian carnival; traditionally people were allowed to wear them between the festival of Santo Stefano (St. Stephen's Day, December 26) at the start of the carnival season and midnight of Shrove Tuesday. St Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St Stephen, is a Christian Saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. As masks were also allowed during Ascension and from October 5 to Christmas, people could spend a large proportion of the year in disguise. The general and most common understanding of the Christian Doctrine of Ascension holds that Jesus bodily ascended to Heaven in the presence Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Mask makers (mascareri) enjoyed a special position in society, with their own laws and their own guild. A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade The earliest guilds were formed as confraternities of workers
In 1797 Venice became part of the Austrian-held Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia when Napoleon signed the Treaty of Campo Formio. Year 1797 ( MDCCXCVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia (Regno Lombardo-Veneto Lombardo-Venezianisches Königreich was a kingdom in northern Italy, and part of the Austrian Empire. The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed on October 17, 1797 (26 Vendémiaire Year VI of the French Republic by Napoleon Bonaparte and Count Ludwig The Austrians took control of the city on January 18, 1798 and it fell into a decline which brought carnival celebrations to a halt for many years. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 1798 ( MDCCXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a It was not until a modern mask shop was founded in the 1970s that a revival of old traditions began.
- Another important Italian carnival is the Historical Carnival of Ivrea, mostly known for its Battle of the Oranges. Ivrea is a town and commune of the Province of Turin in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is valued as one of the most ancient carnivals in the world: during the year 1000 a miller's wife killed the tyrant of the city, King Arduino; from that episode began a civil war between the oppressed people and the king's supporters, finally won by people, and until now every year the citizens remember their liberation with the Battle of the Oranges. Here, teams of "Aranceri" by foot shoot oranges representing ancient arrows and stones against Aranceri on carts, representing Arduino's allies. During the French occupation of Italy in the nineteenth century the Carnival of Ivrea had been modified by adding representatives of the French army who help the miller's wife.
- In Milan the Carnival lasts four more days, ending on the Saturday after Ash Wednesday, because of the Ambrosian rite. Milan (Milano Milan (listen) is one of the largest cities in Italy, located in the plains of Lombardy. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays This article is about the history and the current form of Ambrosian Rite for an explanation of the form of this Rite used before the Vatican-II see Traditional Ambrosian Rite
Malta
Main Article: Maltese Carnival
Carnival in Malta (known as Karnival) was first was introduced in 1535 by Grand Master Piero de Ponte, five years after the Knights took over the islands. Carnival (Maltese il-Karnival ta' Malta) has had an important place on the Maltese cultural calendar for just under five centuries having been introduced Malta, officially the Republic of Malta (Repubblika ta' Malta is a European Microstate, comprising an Archipelago of three islands Grand Master is the typical Title of the supreme head (in some national orders below the Sovereign Head of state of various orders of knighthood including Military orders Piero del Ponte (died 1535 was a member of the Order of the Knights Hospitaller. The Knights Hospitaller (also known as the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St The main celebration takes place in the capital, Valletta, but in every town and village many people, mostly children, dress up in colourful clothes to camouflage their identity. Valletta ( Belt Valletta or Città Umilissima) is the capital city of Malta. The Valletta parade includes the King Carnival float followed by about a dozen others. A float is a decorated platform either built on a Vehicle or towed behind one which is a component of many festive Parades such as the Maltese Carnival Until some years ago, Carnival was also the event of the year for dances and masked balls. Under the rule of the Knights, the Auberges were left open and were delightfully decorated. Carnival in Malta is somewhat very popular. By time popularity is increasing and peoples participation in the events is also at an increase. In Malta carnival is usually held in the first weeks of March.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands where it is called 'Karnaval', 'Carnaval', 'Vastenavond' or 'Vastelaovend' the last day of Carnival, the day before Ash Wednesday, is held exactly 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Dutch Carnival is most celebrated in Catholic regions, mostly the southern provinces Noord Brabant and Limburg, where it is also known as Vastenavond or Vastelaovend (literally "Fasting evening", although that strictly refers only to the last day, whereas Carnival in the Netherlands usually begins on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday). North Brabant ( Dutch: Noord-Brabant,) is a province of the Netherlands, located in the south of the country bordered by Belgium Limburg ( Dutch: (Nederlands Limburg is the southern-most of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays The most popular places where Carnival is held (although every city, town or village celebrates it) are Maastricht, Roermond, Heerlen, Venlo, Tilburg, 's-Hertogenbosch, Bergen op Zoom, Eindhoven, Breda Oldenzaal and Prinsenbeek The places have while carnival also other name's for instance Prinsenbeek is called Boemeldonck. Maastricht ( Dutch; Limburgish and city dialect Mestreech; French: Maestricht or Maëstricht; Spanish: Roermond ( is a city a Municipality, and a diocese in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. Heerlen ( is a City and a Municipality in the southeastern Netherlands The municipality is the second largest in the province of Limburg. Venlo ( is a Municipality and a City in the southeastern Netherlands. Tilburg ( is a Municipality and a City in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant. ' s-Hertogenbosch ( (literally "The Duke's Forest" colloquially known as Den Bosch ( — translated in French as Bois-le-Duc, in German Bergen op Zoom ( is a Municipality and a city in the south of the Netherlands. Eindhoven ( is a Municipality and a city located in the province of Noord-Brabant in the south of the Netherlands, originally at the confluence Breda ( is a Municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. Oldenzaal is a Municipality and a town in the eastern of the Netherlands, near to the border with Germany. Prinsenbeek is a village and a former municipality in the Dutch province North Brabant. Prinsenbeek is a village and a former municipality in the Dutch province North Brabant. Prinsenbeek is a village and a former municipality in the Dutch province North Brabant. Carnival here has been celebrated ever since mediaeval times and was modernised after WW II, when Bergen op Zoom even continued to celebrate it indoors. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Bergen op Zoom ( is a Municipality and a city in the south of the Netherlands. However, it is the most southern province of The Netherlands, Limburg, where many Dutch go to celebrate it. The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Limburg ( Dutch: (Nederlands Limburg is the southern-most of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands. During the event, every town is one big party.
During Dutch Carnival, many traditions are kept alive. First of all is the parade with dressed-up groups, musicians and elaborately built floats. Also traditions include a fake prince plus cortège ('Council of 11'), the boerenbruiloft (farmer's wedding) and the haring happen (eating herring) on Ash Wednesday. However, the traditions vary from town to town.
There are several types of Carnival celebrated in The Netherlands. The best known variant is known as the Rijnlandsche Carnival which can be experienced in the province of Limburg. . It shares many folklore traditions with its German and Belgian counterparts. Maastricht is famous not so much for its parades but for its street carnival, with elaborate costumes that people work on all year, a bit like the South American style, but with a strong accent on humour, and bearing resemblance to Italian, mostly Venetian, traditions, culture and costumes. Maastricht ( Dutch; Limburgish and city dialect Mestreech; French: Maestricht or Maëstricht; Spanish: Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the
Another variety can be found in the province of Noord-Brabant, e. g. in Tilburg, 's-Hertogenbosch, Breda, Steenbergen and Bergen op Zoom. Tilburg ( is a Municipality and a City in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant. ' s-Hertogenbosch ( (literally "The Duke's Forest" colloquially known as Den Bosch ( — translated in French as Bois-le-Duc, in German Breda ( is a Municipality and a city in the southern part of the Netherlands. Steenbergen ( is a Municipality and a city in the South of the Netherlands. Bergen op Zoom ( is a Municipality and a city in the south of the Netherlands. The Carnival in 's-Hertogenbosch is known as the oldest in the Netherlands. Several paintings of the world famous Jheronimus Bosch, who lived in the city in the 15th century, are based on the carnival festivities in the city during the Middle Ages. Hieronymus Bosch ( Dutch, born Jeroen Anthonissen van Aken c 1450 &ndash August 9, 1516) was an Early Netherlandish The oldest known Carnival festivities in 's-Hertogenbosch date from 1385. In 1882 De Oeteldonksche Club was founded to secure the future of Carnival in 's-Hertogenbosch. The Carnival of Bergen op Zoom shares most traditions with 's-Hertogenbosch and very few traditions and folklore with the rest of the Netherlands and they have celebrated it in their specific way ever since 1839. Year 1839 ( MDCCCXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common
Rotterdam (since 1984) and Arnhem (since 2001) celebrate every year Brazilian carnival at the end of July. The Summer Carnaval (DutchZomercarnaval is a yearly event in Rotterdam and Arnhem that mimics the Carnaval of South- Latin-America and the The Brazilian Carnival, or Carnaval (Carnaval is an annual festival in Brazil held 4 days before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning With 900,000 (2006) and 120,000 (2006) visitors, both events increase in popularity. The Rotterdam carnival includes a yearly Queen and best brass band election in the week before the event.
Poland
The Polish Carnival Season includes Fat Thursday (Polish: Tłusty Czwartek), a day for eating pączki (doughnuts); and Śledziówka (Shrove Tuesday) or Herring Day. Fat Thursday ( Polish Tłusty czwartek, German Fetter Donnerstag, Schmutziger Donnerstag, or in areas where carnival is celebrated Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. Pączki ( Polish: pączki, pronounced MP3 Pronunciation File are traditional Polish Doughnuts Pączki is the Plural form of the A doughnut (also spelled "donut" is a sweet Deep-fried piece of Dough or batter. Shrove Tuesday is the term used in Ireland the United Kingdom Australia and Canada to refer to the day after Shrove Monday (or the more old fashioned Collop Monday The Tuesday before the start of Lent is also often called Ostatki (literally "lasts"), meaning the last day to party before the Lenten season.
The traditional way to celebrate Carnival is the kulig, a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered countryside. Increasingly today, especially among the younger generation, Carnival is seen as an excuse for an intensive burst of partying and night-clubbing, and is becoming ever more commercialized with many stores displaying special selections of goods and garish clothing for the Carnival season.
Portugal
Carnival in Portugal is celebrated throughout the country, the most famous are the ones of Ovar, Madeira, Loulé, Podence and Torres Vedras. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Ovar ( pron o'vaɾ or) is a city and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 147 History See also History of Madeira Pre-Portuguese times Pliny mentions certain Purple Islands the position of which with reference to the Loulé ( pron lo(ow'lɛ is a city and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 764 Torres Vedras ( pron 'toʁɨʃ 'vɛdɾɐʃ is a city and a municipality in the district of Lisbon, Portugal, about 50 km north of Lisbon. The ones from Podence and Lazarim have pagan traditions, namely the Careto, and Torres Vedras Carnival is seen as the most typical Portuguese carnival. The careto is a Carnival tradition from Northeastern Portugal, namely in the village of Podence in Macedo de Cavaleiros municipality Torres Vedras ( pron 'toʁɨʃ 'vɛdɾɐʃ is a city and a municipality in the district of Lisbon, Portugal, about 50 km north of Lisbon.
Paradoxically, Portugal having introduced Christianity and the customs related to Catholic practice to Brazil, has started to adopt some of the aspects of Brazilian-style Carnival celebrations, in particular those of Rio de Janeiro with sumptuous parades, Samba and other Brazilian musical elements.
Russia
Maslenitsa (Russian: Масленица, also called Pancake Week or "Cheese Week") is a Russian folk holiday that incorporates some traditions that date back to pagan times. Maslenitsa (Ма́сленица also known as Butter Week, Pancake week, or Cheesefare Week, is a Russian religious and folk holiday Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Maslenitsa (Ма́сленица also known as Butter Week, Pancake week, or Cheesefare Week, is a Russian religious and folk holiday Russian ( transliteration:,) is the most geographically widespread language of Eurasia, the most widely spoken of the Slavic languages Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending It is celebrated during the last week before the Great Lent; that is, the seventh week before the Easter. Great Lent, or the Great Fast, is the most important Fasting season in the Church year in Eastern Christianity, which prepares Christians Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Maslenitsa is a direct analog of the Roman Catholic Carnival. Maslenitsa has a dual ancestry: pagan and Christian. Paganism (from Latin paganus, meaning "country dweller rustic" is a word used to refer to various religions and religious beliefs from across the world A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth The essential element of Maslenitsa celebration are bliny, Russian pancakes, popularly taken to symbolize the sun. A blintz, blintze or blin (plural blintzes or blini cf Lithuanian: Blynai blynai; Russian: блин blin, блины Round and golden, they are made from the rich foods still allowed during that week by the Orthodox traditions: butter, eggs, and milk (in the tradition of Orthodox lent, the consumption of meat ceases one week before the consumption of milk and eggs). Butter is a Dairy product made by churning fresh or fermented Cream or Milk. An egg is a round or oval body laid by the female of many animals consisting of an Ovum surrounded by layers of Membranes and an outer casing which acts to nourish Milk is an opaque white liquid produced by the Mammary glands of female Mammals (including Monotremes.
Maslenitsa also includes masquerades, snowball fights, sledding, swinging on swings and plenty of sleigh rides. A masquerade ball (or bal masqué) is an event which the participants attend in Costume wearing a Mask. The mascot of the celebration is usually a brightly dressed straw effigy of Lady Maslenitsa, formerly known as Kostroma. Kostroma is a straw Scarecrow of a girl burnt by East Slavs during the Carnival season or Maslenitsa. As the culmination of the celebration, on Sunday evening, Lady Maslenitsa is stripped of her finery, and put to the flames of a bonfire. See also Campfire. bonfire is a large controlled outdoor Fire.
In Saint Petersburg the modern celebration of the festival is organized by the city to fall on a fixed date annually (at Sunday, closest to May 27th). Saint Petersburg ( tr: Sankt-Peterburg,) is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River
Slovakia
In Slovakia, the Fašiangy (fašiang, fašangy) takes place from Three Kings' Day (Traja králi) until the midnight before the Ash Wednesday (Škaredá streda or Popolcová streda). Slovakia (long form Slovak Republic; Slovak:, long form, is a Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million Carnival is a festival season which occurs immediately before Lent; the main events are usually during February and March Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays At the midnight, marking the end of fašiangy, a symbolic burial ceremony for the contrabass is performed, because music has to cease for the Lent. Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter.
Slovenia
The festive year of the Slovenes is extraordinarily rich and diverse. Slovenes or Slovenians ( Slovene Slovenci, dual Slovenca, singular Slovenec, feminine Slovenke, dual Slovenki A great deal of national legacy has been preserved within widely attended tourist events.
The Slovenian countryside displays a variety of disguised groups and individual characters among which the most popular and characteristic is the Kurent (plural: Kurenti), a monstrous and demon-like, yet fluffy mask. Slovenia, officially the Republic of Slovenia (Republika Slovenija) is a Country in southern Central Europe bordering Italy to the west The most significant ethonological Carnival festival is traditionally held in annually in the town of Ptuj (see: Kurentovanje). Ptuj (Pettau Latin: Poetovio) is a City and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. Kurentovanje is a ten day long rite of spring and fertility celebrated in Slovenia. The special feature of the event of Ptuj itself and its surrounding area are the very Kurenti, magical creatures from the other world, who visit all major events throughout the country, the members of the parliament, the president and the mayors, trying to banish the winter and announce the arrival of the spring, fertility and new life with loud noise and dancing. Ptuj (Pettau Latin: Poetovio) is a City and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. The origin of the Kurent is a mystery, not much is known of times and beliefs nor the purposes of its first appearance. The origin of the name itself is obscure.
Another town, equal in importance to Ptuj, where the carnival tradition is evolving in all its might, is Cerknica. Ptuj (Pettau Latin: Poetovio) is a City and one of 11 urban municipalities in Slovenia. Cerknica (Ger Zirknitz; It Circonio) is a municipality (občina in the Kras region of southwestern Slovenia, with a population Carnival is heralded by, with a whip, a traditional mask called “Poganjič”. In the carnival procession, organised by the “Pust society”, a monstrous witch Uršula is driven from Mt. Slivnica, to be burnt on the stake on Ash Wednesday. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Unique to this region is a group of dormice, driven by the Devil and a huge cave dragon spitting fire. Cerkno and its surrounding area is known for the "Laufarji" (the chasing men), Carnival figures with artistic masks. Cerkno (CirchinaKirchheim is a small Town and a Municipality with the same name in the western part of Slovenia.
Mačkare from Dobrepolje used to represent triple character: the beautiful and the ugly (among which the most important represented by an old man, an old woman, a humpback and a Corant) and the noble (imitating the urban elite).
The major part of the population, especially the young and children, enjoy dressing up as ordinary non-ethnical masks, going to school, faculties, work and organized events, where the best and most original masks are awarded. Dressed up children go from house to house asking for a treat.
Spain
Arguably the most famous locales in Spain are Sitges, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Tarragona and specially Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Cádiz, Badajoz, Laza (an ancestral carnival celebration), Xinzo de Limia (the longest carnival in Spain). Tenerife (previously known and spelled as "Teneriffe" in English before mass tourism adopted the Spanish spelling a Spanish Island, is the largest Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Sitges (ˈsidʒəs in Catalan in English Catalonia, Spain is a small city about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona renowned worldwide for its Vilanova i la Geltrú is in the province of Barcelona. A major Catalonian fishing port with a growing population of approximately 62000 the town is Tarragona (tərəˈɣonə in Catalan) is a city located in the south of Catalonia and east of Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. See also Santa Cruz de Tenerife (province. Historical population In 1990 the population slowly boomed above the 200000 mark falling Cádiz ( Spanish:) is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the province of the same name, a province which is one of eight Badajoz - (IPA, formerly written Badajos in English the capital of the Spanish province of Badajoz in the autonomous community Xinzo de Limia (elevation 620 Metres population of the concello 10022 hab population of the town 6713 hab At Santa Cruz de Tenerife the parties of the cities are not only well known in Spain, but also worldwide. See also Santa Cruz de Tenerife (province. Historical population In 1990 the population slowly boomed above the 200000 mark falling Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. It is famous for thematic costumes, and the election of the Carnival Queen. There is also a parade of Drag-Queens, known as reinonas.
Sitges: This Carnival is one of the most important Carnivals in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Sitges (ˈsidʒəs in Catalan in English Catalonia, Spain is a small city about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona renowned worldwide for its Catalonia (Cataluña Catalunya Aranese: Catalonha) is an Autonomous Community in the northeast part of Spain. Folk dances and xatonades (traditional local salad of Sitges, served with assorted omelets) are also characteristic elements of the carnival. The two most important moments in the carnival of Sitges are the Rua de la Disbauxa, or the Debauchery Parade, on Sunday night and the Rua de l‘Extermini, or Extermination Parade, on Tuesday night. Some forty-odd floats with more than 2,500 participants parade in Sitges. The carnival of Vilanova i la Geltrù is very important because of Les Comparses (on Sunday), in which good-humoured rival groups throw boiled sweets (candies) at each other.
In Tarragona is found one of the most complete ritual sequences of the Catalan carnivals. Tarragona (tərəˈɣonə in Catalan) is a city located in the south of Catalonia and east of Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. The events start with the building of a huge barrel and end with its burning together with the effigies of the carnival King and Queen. On Saturday, the main parade takes place. There are masked groups, zoomorphic figures, music and percussion bands, and traditional groups with fireworks (the devils, the dragon, the ox, the female dragon). A firework is classified as a low explosive pyrotechnic device used primarily for aesthetic and entertainment purposes Carnival groups stand out for their splendid clothes full of elegance and of brilliant examples of fabric crafts at the Saturday and Sunday parades.
Carnival of Cádiz
In Cádiz everyone wears a costume, which is often related to recent news, such as the bird flu epidemic in 2006, during which many people were disguised as chickens. The Carnival of Cádiz is one of the best known Carnivals in the world Cádiz ( Spanish:) is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the province of the same name, a province which is one of eight Influenza A virus subtype H5[[Neuraminidase N1]], also known as A(H5N1 or simply H5N1, is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which can cause The feeling of this carnival is the sharp criticism, the funny play on words and the imagination in the costumes, more than the glamorous dressings. It is traditional to paint the face with lipstick as a humble substitute of a mask.
The most famous groups are the chirigotas, choirs and comparsas. Cádiz ( Spanish:) is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the province of the same name, a province which is one of eight A comparsa ( conga de comparsa) is the band which plays a conga during a Cuban Carnival celebration
The chirigotas are well known witty, satiric popular groups who sing about politics, new times and household topics, wearing the same costume, which they train for the whole year. There is an official competition in Teatro Falla, where they compete for the award to the group. The music of the songs is written by each group. Each chirigota has a wide repertoire of satirical lyrics.
The Choirs (coros) are wider groups that go on open carts through the streets singing with a little orchestra of guitars and lutes. Their characteristic composition is the "Carnival Tango", and they alternate comical and serious repertory.
The comparsas are the serious counterpart of the chirigota in Cádiz, and the poetical lyrics and the criticism are their main ingredients. They have a more elaborated polyphony, being easily recognizable by the typical countertenor voice. In Music, polyphony is a texture consisting of two or more independent Melodic voices, as opposed to music with just one voice ( Monophony This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type.
Carnival of Gran Canaria
In Gran Canaria is famous the Drag Queen's gala where a jury choose a winner, famous too is the Queen of the carnival. Gran Canaria (in English " Grand Canary " is an island of the Canary Islands, an Archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean 210 km from
People often to wear a disguise and go to the carnival procession where the drink and dance behind a float. To finnished it they celebrate the sardine's funeral.
Latin America
Argentina
In Argentina, the most famous carnival celebrations are held in the Argentine Mesopotamia and the North-West. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. Gualeguaychú in the east of Entre Ríos province is called the "National Capital of Carnival" and has one of the largest parades, with a similar afro-American musical background than Brazilian or Uruguayan Carnival. Gualeguaychú may refer to Gualeguaychú Entre Ríos, a city in the province of Entre Ríos Argentina on the left bank of the Gualeguaychú River Entre Ríos is a province of Argentina, located in the Mesopotamia region in the northeast of the country Corrientes is another city with a lively carnival tradition which involves the chamamé music, a kind of polka, and large parades at the Carnival weekends. Foto-0065jpg|thumb|216px|The Belgrano Bridge]]Plaza 25 de mayo Corrientes Chamamé is a Folk music genre from the Argentine Northeast Mesopotamia (" Litoral " and in the south of Brazil. The polka is a fast lively Central European Dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas In the North-West, Carnival is influenced by indigenous traditions, above all in the valley towns of Humahuaca and Tilcara. Humahuaca is a city in the province of Jujuy, Argentina. It has 11369 inhabitants as per the, and is the head town of the Humahuaca Department San Francisco de Tilcara (usually referred to as Tilcara) is a city in the province of Jujuy, Argentina, and the head town of the Tilcara In all major cities and many towns throughout the country, Carnival is also celebrated, but less famous that in the above mentioned places.
Bolivia
La Diablada carnival, takes place in the city of Oruro in central Bolivia. The Carnaval de Oruro (or Carnival of Oruro is the biggest annual cultural event in Bolivia. Oruro may refer to Oruro Bolivia - capital of the Bolivian Oruro Department Oruro Department - one of nine departments in Bolivia The Republic of Bolivia (República de Bolivia) named after Simón Bolívar, is a Landlocked country in central South America. It is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the miners, Vírgen de Socavon (the Virgin of the Tunnels). Over 50 parade groups dance, sing and play music over a five kilometre-long course. Participants dress up as demons, devils, angels, Incas and Spanish conquerors. There are various kinds of dances such as caporales and tinkus. The parade runs from morning until late at night, 18 hours a day, on the Saturday and Sunday before Ash Wednesday.
Brazil
An important part of the Brazilian Carnival takes place is the Rio Carnival, with samba schools parading in the Sambodromo. The Brazilian Carnival, or Carnaval (Carnaval is an annual festival in Brazil held 4 days before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning Once a pagan celebration in ancient Rome Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is now considered one of the greatest shows on Earth The Samba schools ( Escolas de samba in Portuguese) are Samba clubs organised in the early half of the 20th century in Rio de Janeiro The Sambadrome ( Sambódromo in Portuguese, full name Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí) is a purpose-built parade area in downtown Rio de Janeiro These are large, social entities with thousands of members and a theme each year. Blocos are small informal groups also with a definite theme, usually satirical of the current political situation. There are more than 30 blocos in Rio de Janeiro. Bandas are samba musical bands, usually formed by enthusiasts in the same neighborhood.
From Salvador, an adapted truck, with giant speakers and a platform where musicians play songs of local genres such as Axé music, Samba-reggae , Pagode and Arrocha. Axé music is a popular Music genre originated in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil approximately Samba-reggae is a music genre from Bahia, Brazil. Samba-reggae as its name suggests was originally derived as a blend of Brazilian Samba with Jamaican Pagode is a Brazilian style of music which originated in the Rio de Janeiro region as a subgenre of Samba. The arrocha (AKA Tecno Brega) is a music/dance style that originated in the interior of Bahia, one of Brazil 's states most notably in the city of The truck is driven around the city with the crowd following dancing and singing. It was originally staged by three Salvador musicians, Armandinho, Dodo & Osmar, in the decade of 1950. The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive
Pernambuco has large Carnival celebrations, including the Frevo, typical Pernambuco music. Pernambuco (pɛxnɐ̃ˈbuku is a state of Brazil, located in the Northeast region of the country Frevo describes is a wide range of musical styles originating from Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, all of which are traditionally associated with Brazilian Another famous carnival music style from Pernambuco is Maracatu. Maracatu is a term common to two distinct performance genres found in Pernambuco state in northeastern Brazil: maracatu nação and maracatu rural The cities of Recife and Olinda also host large carnival celebrations in Brazil. Recife ( heˈsifi is the fifth largest Metropolitan area in Brazil and the capital of the state of Pernambuco. Olinda is a historic city in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, located on the country's northeastern Atlantic The largest carnival parade in all of the world according The Guinness Book of World Records is named Galo da Madrugada, which takes place downtown Recife on the Saturday of carnival. Guinness World Records, known until 2000 as The Guinness Book of Records (and in previous U The Galo da Madrugada (in Portuguese Rooster/Cock of Early Hours is a carnival parade that happens every carnival saturday to the left of the São José district in downtown Recife Another famous event is the Noite dos Tambores Silenciosos.
Caribbean
Most of the islands in the Caribbean celebrate Carnival. Caribbean Carnival is the term used for a number of events that take place in many of the Caribbean islands annually The Caribbean (ˌkærəˡbiən kæ'rəbiən Cariben|Caraïben or Caraïben; Caraïbe or more commonly Antilles; Caribe is a Region consisting The largest and most well-known celebration is held in Trinidad and Tobago. The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ˈtrɪnɪdæd ən təˈbeɪgoʊ is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American Haiti, Antigua, Aruba, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts, Saint Thomas and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are also known for lengthy carnival seasons and large celebrations. Haiti ( English: ˈheɪ·tiː or haɪ·ˈjiː·tiː French Haïti a·i·ti Haitian Creole: Antigua (ænˈtiːgə an-TEE-gah) is an Island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region the main Aruba is a -long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, north of the Paraguaná Peninsula, Falcón State, Venezuela The Cayman Islands are a British overseas territory located in the western Caribbean Sea, comprising the islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Barbados ( Portuguese word for bearded-ones, bɑrˈbeɪdoʊz -dɒs situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent Island nation The Commonwealth of Dominica, commonly known as Dominica, is an Island nation in the Caribbean Sea. Grenada (grɪˈneɪdə is an Island nation that includes the southern Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. For the island of St Martin on the whole see Saint Martin, for the French side see Saint Martin (France and for other uses see Saint Martin (disambiguation Saint Lucia (ˌseɪnt ˈluːʃɪə is an Island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Saint Kitts (also known more formally as Saint Christopher Island ( Saint-Christophe in French) is an Island in the West Indies Saint Thomas is an Island in the Caribbean Sea, a County and constituent district of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI an unincorporated Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles chain of the Caribbean Sea.
Carnival is an important cultural event on the Dutch Antilles islands of Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba, Sint Eustatius (Statia), and Bonaire. Curaçao (ˈkjuːrəsaʊ in English Dutch: Curaçao, Papiamento: Kòrsou) is an Island in the southern Caribbean Sea, For the island of St Martin on the whole see Saint Martin, for the French side see Saint Martin (France and for other uses see Saint Martin (disambiguation SABA was a German manufacturer for electronic equipment from the Black Forest up to the 1980s Sint Eustatius, also known as Statia, or Saint Eustace, is one of the islands which make up the Netherlands Antilles; it is in the northern Leeward The Island Territory of Bonaire ( Dutch: Eilandgebied Bonaire, Papiamento: Teritorio Insular di Boneiru) is one of five island areas Festivities include "jump-up" parades with beautifully colored costumes, floats, and live bands as well as beauty contests and other competitions. Carnival on these islands also includes a middle-of-the-night j'ouvert (juvé) parade that ends at sunrise with the burning of a straw King Momo, cleansing the island of sins and bad luck. J'ouvert (also spelled as Jouve) and pronounced 'juuvay' is a large street party during Carnival in the eastern Caribbean region King Momos, King Momus, ( Rei Momo in Portuguese or Rey Momo in Spanish) is considered the king of Carnivals in On Statia he is called Prince Stupid.
Carnival has also been celebrated in Cuba since the 18th century. The costumes, dances and pageantry grew with each passing year, with the participants donning costumes from the cultural and ethnic variety on the island. After Fidel Castro's Communist Revolution, carnival's religious overture was suppressed. The events remained, albeit frowned upon by the state. Carnival celebrations have been in decline throughout Cuba since 1960.
Antigua
The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of music and dance held annually from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August. The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of Music and Dance held annually from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August The most important day is that of the j'ouvert (or juvé), in which brass and steel bands perform for much of the island's population. Barbuda's Carnival, held in June, is known as Caribana. The Antiguan and Barbudan Carnivals replaced the Old Time Christmas Festival in 1957, with hopes of inspiring tourism in Antigua and Barbuda. Some elements of the Christmas Festival remain in the modern Carnival celebrations, which are otherwise largely based on the Trinidadian Carnival. The carnival consists of mas playing, steel pan music and various shows such as calypso shows and pageants.
Trinidad and Tobago
In Trinidad & Tobago, Carnival is a holiday season that lasts over a month and culminates in large celebrations in Port of Spain which is the capital of Trinidad, on the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday with Dimanche Gras, J'ouvert, and Mas (masquerade). Port of Spain is the Capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third largest municipality after Chaguanas The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated two days before Ash Wednesday. The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated two days before Ash Wednesday. Port of Spain is the Capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third largest municipality after Chaguanas In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays J'ouvert (also spelled as Jouve) and pronounced 'juuvay' is a large street party during Carnival in the eastern Caribbean region Tobago's celebrations also culminates on Monday and Tuesday but on a much smaller scale in its capital Scarborough. Carnival is a festive time of costumes, dance, music, competitions, rum, and partying (also referred to as fete-ing). Music styles associated with Carnival include soca, calypso
The annual Carnival steel pan competition known as the National Panorama competition is held in the weeks preceding Carnival with the finals held on the Saturday before the main event. Soca is a form of Dance music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago from Calypso music. Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean Music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago at about the start of the 20th century Steelpans (also known as steeldrums or pans, and sometimes collectively with Musicians as a steelband) is a Musical instrument and Pan players compete in various categories such as "Conventional Steel band" or "Single Pan" by performing renditions of the current year's calypsos. Preliminary judging of this event for "Conventional Steel Bands" has been recently moved to the individual pan yards where steel bands practice their selections for the competition.
"Dimanche Gras" takes place on the Sunday night before Ash Wednesday. Here the Calypso Monarch is chosen (after competition) and prize money and a vehicle bestowed. Also the King and Queen of the bands are crowned, where each band to parade costumes for the next two days submits a king and queen, from which an overall winner is chosen. These usually involve huge, complex, beautiful costumes.
J'ouvert, or "Dirty Mas", takes place before dawn on the Monday (known as Carnival Monday) before Ash Wednesday. It means ""opening of the day" . Here revelers dress in old clothes and cover themselves in mud, oil paint and body paint. A common character to be seen at this time is "Jab-jabs" (devils, blue, black or red) complete with pitch fork, pointed horns and tails. Here also, a king and queen of the J'ouvert are chosen, based on their representation of current political/social events/issues.
Carnival Monday involves the parade of the mas bands, but on a casual or relaxed scale. Usually revelers wear only parts of their costumes, and the purpose of the day is more one of fun than display or competition. Also on Carnival Monday, Monday Night Mas is popular in most towns and especially the capital, where smaller bands participate in competition.
Carnival Tuesday is when the main events of the carnival take place. On this day full costume is worn complete with make up and body paints/adornments. Each band has their costume presentation based on a particular theme, and contain various sections (some consisting of thousands of revelers) which reflect these themes. Here the street parade and eventual crowning of the best bands take place. After following a route where various judging points are located, the mas bands eventually converge on the Queen's Park Savannah to pass "on the stage" to be judged once and for all. Also taking place on this day is the crowning of the Road March king or queen, where the singer of the most played song over the two days of the carnival is crowned winner, complete with prize money and usually a vehicle.
This parading and revelry goes on into the night of the Tuesday. Ash Wednesday itself, whilst not an official holiday, is marked by most by visiting the beaches that abound both Trinidad and Tobago. The most populated being Maracas beach and Manzanilla beach, where huge beach parties take place every Ash Wednesday. These provide a cool down from the previous five days of hectic partying, parades and competitions, and are usually attended by the whole family.
Colombia
Although Carnival was introduced by the Spaniards and has incorporated elements from the European cultures, it has managed to re-interpret traditions that belonged to the African and Amerindian cultures of Colombia. A float is a decorated platform either built on a Vehicle or towed behind one which is a component of many festive Parades such as the Maltese Carnival The Carnival of Blacks and Whites ( Spanish: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos) of Pasto, Colombia was declared National Cultural Heritage Pasto, officially San Juan de Pasto, is the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southwest Colombia Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America. The Carnival in Colombia was introduced by the Spaniards The Colombian carnival has incorporated elements from European culture, and has managed to syncretise The culture of Europe might better be described as a series of overlapping cultures For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States. Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America. There is documentary evidence that Carnival existed in Colombia in the 18th century and had already been a cause for concern for the colonial authorities, who censored the celebrations, especially in the main political centres such as Cartagena, Bogotá and Popayán. Cartagena de Indias (kaɾtaˈhena ð̞e ˈin̪d̪jas in Spanish; the usual English pronunciation is ˌkɑrtəˈheɪnə deɪ ˈɪndiəs is a large city Bogotá —officially named Bogotá DC (DC for " Distrito Capital " which means "Capital District" formerly called Santa Fe de Bogotá Popayán is a municipality and def is a capital city of the Colombian department of Cauca, with a population of about 215000 people
The Carnival, therefore, continued its evolution and re-interpretation in the small and at that time unimportant towns where celebrations did not offend the ruling elites. The result was the uninterrupted celebration of Carnival festivals in Barranquilla (see Barranquilla Carnival), in other villages along the lower Magdalena River in northern Colombia, and in Pasto, Nariño (see Blacks and Whites Carnival) in the south of the country. Barranquilla, an industrial portuary and special district is a city and municipality located in northern Colombia by the Caribbean sea. Barranquilla's Carnaval ( Spanish: Carnaval de Barranquilla) is a carnival with traditions that date back to the 19th century The Magdalena River (Spanish Río Magdalena) also called Yuma River (Spanish Río Yuma) is the principal River of Colombia, running Pasto, officially San Juan de Pasto, is the capital of the department of Nariño, located in southwest Colombia The Carnival of Blacks and Whites ( Spanish: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos) of Pasto, Colombia was declared National Cultural Heritage In modern times, there have been attempts to introduce Carnival in the capital, Bogotá, in the early 20th century, but it has always failed to gain the approval of authorities. The Bogotá Carnival has had to wait until the 21st century to be resurrected, this time by the authorities of the city. Bogotá's Carnival or Carnival of Bogotá ( Spanish: Carnaval de Bogotá) is celebrated in Bogotá every year on August 5 and
Ecuador
In Ecuador, the celebrations have a history that begins before the arrival of Catholicism. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Ecuador topics. As a Christian Ecclesiastical term Catholic —from the Greek adjective, meaning "general" or "universal"—is described It is known that the Huarangas Indians (from the Chimbos nation) used to celebrate the second moon of the year with a festival at which they threw flour, flowers and perfumed water. This once pagan tradition has since merged with the Catholic celebration of Carnaval.
A common feature of Ecuadorian Carnival is the diablitos (little devils) who play with water. As with snowball fights, the practice of throwing or dumping water on unsuspecting victims is especially revered by children and teenagers, and feared by some adults. Throwing water balloons, sometimes even eggs and flour both to friends and strangers passing by the street can be a lot of fun but can also raise the ire of unfamiliarised foreigners and even locals.
Although the government as well as school authorities forbid such games, it is still widely practiced throughout the country. Historians tell of a Bishop in 1867 who threatened the punishment of ex-communion for the sin of playing Carnival games.
Different festivities are held in various regions of the country, where the locals wear disguises with colorful masks and dance to the rhythm of lively music. Usually, the celebrations begin with the election of the Taita Carnaval (Father Carnaval) who will head the festivities and lead the parades in each city.
The most famed carnival festivities are those in Guaranda (Bolivar province) and Ambato (Tungurahua province). San Pedro de Guaranda is a City in central Ecuador. It is the capital of Bolívar, a province located in the Andes mountains. Ambato may refer to Ambato Department, a department (administrative division in Catamarca Province Argentina Ambato Canton, Ecuador In Ambato, the festivities are called Fiesta de las Flores y las Frutas (Festival of the Flowers and Fruits). Other cities have also revived the carnival traditions with colorful parades, such as in Azogues (Cañar Province). Azogues is the capital of the province of Cañar in Ecuador. The population of Azogues is 27866 In Azogues and the Southern Andes in general, the Taita Carnaval is always an indigenous Cañari dressed for the celebrations. The Andes form the world's longest exposed Mountain range. They lie as a continuous chain of highland along the western coast of South America.
French Guiana
The Carnival of French Guiana is a major aspect of the culture of that country. French Guiana (Guyane française officially fr ''Guyane'' is an Overseas department (French département d'outre-mer, or DOM) of France Although its roots are in the Creole culture, everyone participates — mainland French, Brazilians (Guiana has a frontier with Brazil) and Chinese as well as creoles. For the languages see Creole language. For other meanings see Creole (disambiguation.
Its duration is variable, determined by movable religious festivals: Carnival begins at Epiphany and ends on Ash Wednesday, and so typically lasts through most of January and February. Epiphany ( Greek for "to manifest" or "to show" is a Christian Feast day which celebrates the "shining forth" or revelation of In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays During this period, from Friday evening until Monday morning the entire country throbs to the rhythm of the masked balls and street parades. Normal life slows almost to a stop.
Friday afternoons are the time for eating galette des rois (the cake of kings) and drinking champagne. The cake may be flavoured with frangipani, guava, or coconut. Guava is a Genus of about 100 Species of Tropical Shrubs and small Trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family
On Sunday afternoons major parades are staged in the streets of Cayenne, Kourou, and Saint-Laurent du Maroni. Cayenne is the Capital of French Guiana, an overseas ''région'' and ''département'' of France located in South America Kourou is a town and commune in French Guiana, an overseas ''région'' and ''département'' of France located in South America Competing groups prepare for months. Dressed according to the agreed theme of the year, they strut along with carnival floats, drums, and brass bands.
Brazilian groups are also appreciated for their elaborate feathered and sequined costumes. However, they are not eligible for competition since the costumes do not change from one year to the next.
Certain mythical characters appear regularly in the parades:
- Karolin: A small person dressed in a magpie tail and top hat, riding on a shrew.
- Les Nèg'marrons: Groups of men dressed in red loincloths, bearing ripe tomatoes in their mouths and their bodies smeared with grease or molasses. These men deliberately try to come in contact with spectators, soiling their clothes.
- Les makoumés: Men in drag (out of the carnival context, makoumé is a pejorative term for a homosexual). Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation.
- Soussouris (the bat): a character dressed in a winged leotard from head to foot, usually black in colour. Traditionally malevolent, this character is liable to chase spectators and "sting" them.
A uniquely Creole tradition of this version of carnival is the so-called touloulous. These are women wearing highly decorative gowns, gloves, masks and headdresses which cover them completely so that they are not only unrecognisable, but the colour of their skin cannot even be determined. On Friday and Saturday nights of carnival, touloulou balls are held in so-called universities — in reality, large dance halls that only open in carnival time. Touloulous get in free, and are even given condoms in the interest of the sexual health of the community. Men also attend the balls, but they have to pay admittance and they are not disguised. The touloulous pick their dance partners, who may not refuse the dance. Thus, the setup is designed to make it easy for a woman to create a temporary liaison with a man she fancies in total anonymity. Undisguised women are not welcome at the balls. By tradition, if one gets up to dance, the orchestra stops playing. Alcohol is served at bars — the disguised women also pick up men by whispering to them "touloulou thirsty," at which a round of drinks is expected, to be drunk through a straw so as not to unmask in the slightest.
In more modern times, Guyanais men have attempted to turn the tables by staging soirées tololo, in which it's the men who, in disguise, seek partners from undisguised women bystanders.
The final four days of carnival have a rigid tradition of celebration, and no work is done at all.
- Sunday: The Grand Parade, in which the competing groups show off their very best.
- Monday: Marriage burlesque, with men dressed as brides and women as grooms.
- Tuesday: Red Devil Day, with everyone wearing red or black.
- (Ash) Wednesday: Dress is black and white only, for the grand ceremony of burning the effigy of Vaval, the King of the Carnival.
[This text relied principally on text in The French wikipedia
Honduras
In La Ceiba in Honduras, Carnival is held on the fourth Saturday of every May to commemorate San Isidro. La Ceiba is a port city on the northern coast of Honduras in Central America. Honduras in Spanish, República de Honduras) is a democratic republic in Central America. It is the largest Carnival celebration in Central America.
Nicaragua
In the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, in the city of Bluefields, the carnival, better known as Palo de Mayo (or Mayo Ya!), is celebrated every day of May. Nicaragua (ˌnɪkəˈrɑgwə officially the Republic of Nicaragua () is a representative democratic republic and the largest nation in Central America Bluefields is the capital of the Municipality of the same name and of R
In the Nicaragua's capital city, Managua, it is only celebrated for 2 days. Managua is the Capital city of Nicaragua as well as the department and municipality by the same name The carnival in Managua is named "Alegria por la vida" translated to "Joy for Life" and features a different theme each year.
Mexico
In Mexico, Carnival is celebrated in some cities, notably Merida in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mazatlan and in the state of Veracruz, where Carnival is celebrated with traditional music and dances. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Yucatán is one of the 31 states of Mexico, located on the north of the Yucatán Peninsula. Mazatlán ( IPA: zat ˈlan is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding Municipio (municipality for which Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 31 states that constitute the republic of Mexico. People dress in bright, feathered costumes and do their performances on the streets. Mazatlan's celebration is sometimes compared to the carnival of Rio de Janeiro or New Orleans. Rio de Janeiro ("River of January" ˈhiw dʒi ʒʌˈnejɾu in Brazilian Portuguese, /ˈriːoʊ di ʒəˈnɛroʊ/ in English is the second largest city of Brazil New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana In Copandaro de Galeana Michoacan carnival is celebrated with parades, games, bull riding, and dancing.
Panama
The Panamanian Carnival is the second biggest festival in the world. Traditionally beginning on Friday and ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, "los carnavales," as Panamanians refer to the days of carnival, are celebrated in almost the whole country. In the Western Christian Calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and occurs forty days before Easter (excluding Sundays Carnival Week in Panama is specially popular because of the luxury and magnitude of the Las Tablas Carnival as well as the carnival celebrations in Panama City and almost all of the Azuero Peninsula. Las Tablas is the capital of the Panamanian province of Los Santos. Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá is the Capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. The Panamanian Carnival is also popular because of the great number of concerts by national and international artists held on different stages in the most visited areas of the country.
Uruguay
The Carnival in Montevideo is the longest of the world, with more than 40 days of celebration, generally occurring in February through mid March. The main attractions of Uruguayan Carnival include two parades called Desfile de Carnaval (Carnival Parade) and Desfile de Llamadas (Summoning Parade).
During the forty days of celebration, popular theaters called tablados are built in many places throughout the city. In these theaters Murgas, Lubolos, Parodistas and other groups perform a kind of popular opera, singing and dancing songs that generally relate to social reality and activity in the country. Murga is a form of popular Musical theatre performed primarily in Montevideo, Uruguay during the Carnival season They also wear their festival clothing. For women its a elegant dress and for men its a shirt and tie.
Canada
The Quebec City Winter Carnival is the biggest winter-themed carnival in the world. The Quebec Winter Carnival (or Carnaval de Québec) held yearly in Quebec City, Canada, is the biggest winter carnival in the world
It depends on good snowfalls and very cold weather, to keep snowy ski trails in good condition and the many ice sculptures intact. A ski is a long flat device worn on the feet designed to help the wearer slide smoothly over snow Ice sculpture is a form of Sculpture that uses Ice as the Raw material. For this reason it does not coincide with the pre-Lent celebration but is fixed instead to the last days of January and first days of February. In the Ottawa-Gatineau region, Winterlude takes place during the first 3 weeks of February. Winterlude ( Bal de neige in French) is an annual festival in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec that celebrates
United States
Carnival celebrations, usually referred to as Mardi Gras, are common in the Gulf Coast area of the Southern United States, including Texas and the western Panhandle of Florida. " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. The Gulf Coast region of the United States comprises the coasts of states which border the Gulf of Mexico. The Southern United States &mdashcommonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South &mdashconstitutes a large distinctive They originated in the onetime French Colonial capitals of Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Biloxi, Mississippi, all of which have celebrated for many years with street parades and masked balls. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana
Louisiana
The best-known, most elaborate, and most popular events are in New Orleans, while other South Louisiana cities such as Lafayette, Mamou, and Houma, all of which were under French control at one time or another, are the sites of famous Carnival celebrations of their own. See also Mardi Gras Mardi Gras in New Orleans Louisiana is one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world Lafayette is a City in and the Parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. Mamou is a town in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, United States. Houma (ˈhoʊmə and /ˈhuːmə/ is the Parish seat of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, United States, and the largest principal city
Major Mardi Gras celebrations are spreading to other parts of the United States, such as the Mississippi Valley region of St. Louis, Missouri and Orlando, Florida in Universal Studios.
See also
- Federation of European Carnival Cities
- Traveling carnival
- Conklin Shows
- Antigua Carnival
- Carnivalesque and Grotesque body
- Fair
- Collective Effervescence
- Costume party
- Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras in Mobile
- Basler Fasnacht
- careto
- Mikhail Bakhtin
References
- McGowan, Chris and Pessanha, Ricardo. The Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC was founded in 1980 and has been registered in the Court of Luxembourg A traveling carnival is an amusement show that may be made up of Amusement rides, food vendors merchandise vendors games of chance and skill thrill acts animal acts Conklin Shows (Conklin Group World's Finest Shows Conklin Supershows and Carnival Midway Management Company The largest traveling amusement corporation in North America The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of Music and Dance held annually from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August Carnivalesque This term coined by the Russian critic Mikhail Bakhtin refers to a literary mode that subverts and liberates the assumptions of the hegemony though humor and chaos The grotesque body is a concept or Literary trope, put forward by Russian Literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin in his study of Francois Rabelais ' A fair is a gathering of people to display or trade produce or other goods to parade or display animals and often to enjoy associated Carnival or Funfair entertainment Collective effervescence (CE is a perceived Energy formed by a gathering of people as might be experienced at a sporting event a Carnival, a Rave, or A costume party ( American English) or a fancy dress party ( British English) mainly in contemporary Western culture, is a type of Party " Mardi Gras " ( French for Fat Tuesday) is the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama is the oldest traditional Carnival celebration in America having begun in 1703over 15 years before The Carnival of Basel (Basler Fasnacht is the biggest Carnival in Switzerland and takes place annually between February and March in Basel. The careto is a Carnival tradition from Northeastern Portugal, namely in the village of Podence in Macedo de Cavaleiros municipality Mikhail Mikhailovich Bakhtin ( Russian: Михаил Михайлович Бахти́н mʲɪxʌˈil mʲɪˈxajləvʲɪʨ bʌxˈtʲin ( November 17, 1895 "The Brazilian Sound: Samba, Bossa Nova and the Popular Music of Brazil. " 1998. 2nd edition. Temple University Press. ISBN 1-56639-545-3
- Catholic Encyclopedia, Shrovetide
Dictionary
carnival
-noun
- A festive occasion marked by parades and sometimes special foods and other entertainment
- Comic good times marked by special events.
- A parade group masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess.
- The season just before the beginning of the Roman Catholic season of Lent, when New Orleans has its Mardi Gras carnival.
- A ritual reversal of a social hierarchy.
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