Carnival 2010

Carnival 2010, where to celebrate?

Carnival is a Catholic celebration, the date of the celebration depends on the Catholic calender. The party however always starts on a Saturday and ends on a Tuesday. The last Tuesday is also known as “Fat Tuesday”. This is the day that you eat all the meat and fat you have left in the house, as the next day you will start to fast. The name carnival has his name to thank because of this, as in Latin “Carne Vale” means “goodbye to meat”. The fasting last 40 days after these 40 days it is Easter.

Carnival has a different definition for each country which causes that each country celebrates carnival in another way. Like for instance in Brazil you have the swinging Carnival with Samba music and in Venice you have a more tradition type of carnival. So there are many places in Europe where men celebrates this event.

Like for instance in Nice in France. This year the carnival takes place from the 13th of February till the 1st of March. There will be 3 types of parades in the city center. One of them is the Défilé of Carnavalesque Illuminé also known as the light parade. This is a parade decorated with lights that rides through the streets of Nice. The second parade is the Corso a parade with 20 decorated floats, musicians, street performers and many more. The third parade is the Bataille de Fleurs this is one of the most famous parades, completely decorated with flowers.

Also in Cologne, Germany they celebrate carnival from the 14th of February till the 16th of February. On Monday there is the famous “Rosenmontag” this is a big parade, with many people that are dressed up and dance and drink on the streets and bars.

Carnival in Venice, Italy this year will take place from the 6th till the 16th of February with the theme 6 senses for 6 sestieri. This means that in the 6 different districts in Venice there will be 6 types of senses. Don't forget to go to San Marco square and watch the parade, and don't forget to make pictures you will see many people dressed up in traditional Venetian clothing and beautiful masks. The last Saturday of Carnival is especially interesting for the younger crowd, as there are many bars and clubs were parties are held.

But even outside Europe people tend to celebrate Carnival. For sure we have all heard about the famous Carnival in Rio de Janeiro! But besides Rio De Janeiro also the Americans celebrate this event in New Orleans.

Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, is also known as the capital city in the world of Carnival. The event always lasts for 4 days starting on a Saturday and ending on a Tuesday, this year from the 13th till the 16th of February. Carnival in Rio is not just a parade where people dance and jump in the crowds wherever they want. No, many samba schools have been organizing and practicing for many months. Every samba school that participates at the huge “Samba Parade “has their own theme, style and performance. Each carnival there is a queen and 2 princesses that have been chosen by their samba skills and beauty.

In the USA you can experience Carnival in New Orleans. Here men this year celebrates “Mardi Gras” also know as fat Tuesday on the 16th of February. The party already starts on the 30th of January but the magic happens on the 16th of February. Each day there is a parade which you can see, every day in another part of the city. During carnival it is a tradition to wear purple, gold and green. This has been decided in 1892 by the then King of carnival. Gold stands for power, green for health and purple for justice.

Would you also like to celebrate Carnival and see the parades in Europe or even outside Europe? Make sure to book a hostel right away!