Spain
Carnivals, February 3-9, Cadiz, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga. Spanish cities plunge into the carnival whirlpool, following long-established traditions, namely, following the ancient symbol of the carnival, Don Carnal, who embodies the Spanish zest for life. Despite the common "scenario," Spanish carnivals have their own specifics in different cities, down to masquerade nuances: in the south, cross-dressing is common, and in the north, dressing up as animals.
The carnival in Cadiz is considered the most famous and energetic, where a well-known gastronomic contest takes place. And on Sunday and Monday of carnival week, the "Choir Carousel" – a performance by choral groups – is held there. The main carnival celebration, the masquerade ball, will take place, as always, on "Fat Tuesday," and the carnival days will end with the Burial of the Sardine on "Ash Wednesday," when Catholics begin Lent.
In Madrid, carnival organizers usually pin great hopes on the residents, who, to liven things up and keep carnival guests from getting bored, put on small burlesque performances. //www.carnavaldecadiz.com, www.sitges.com/carnaval, www.carnaval.com, www.santiagoturismo.com, www.costadelsol.sopde.es, www.munimadrid.es
Carnival in the Canary Islands, February. It is believed that Carnival came to the Canary Islands after their colonization by Spain, so the Canarian carnival is characterized by Spanish scope combined with Latin flavor. Afro-Cuban music and traditional Spanish zarzuela are heard here, and the dances are quite eclectic. The most famous hallmark of the Canary Islands carnival is a battle of confetti and streamers, and earlier the "projectiles" in such a battle were eggs filled with talcum powder.
Incidentally, this unique tradition has survived to this day in Santa Cruz de la Palma – there the carnival takes place in clouds of flying talc. But the most famous carnival, which even made it into the Guinness Book of Records, takes place in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The carnival opens magnificently and spectacularly with a cavalcade, musical contests of "murgas," and the election of the Queen, and the carnival program in general is packed with contests: a competition for musical groups ("rondallas"), rhythm and harmony, clown performances, and comic battles. You can have fun in the Canaries for a long time: when the carnival in Santa Cruz de Tenerife ends, it begins in Candelaria. //www.grancanaria.com, www.puertodelacruz.org, www.cabtfe.es, www.carnavaltenerife.com
Italy
Carnival, February 8-13, Viareggio. The Viareggio Carnival is no less famous than the Venetian one, and is renowned for being the most colorful and funniest. It was first held 132 years ago, when Shrovetide festivities grew into a carnival show, the main attraction of which was platforms with giant dolls. Since then, huge papier-mâché dolls, made long before the carnival begins in a huge hangar by the sea, have been the main hallmark of this carnival, and the Burlamacco doll has become not only its symbol but is also kept in the Roman Museum of Folklore. The epicenter of the carnival action will be the famous boulevards along the coast. //www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com
Venice Carnival, January 28 – February 8, Venice. The carnival in Venice will open with a mandatory commedia dell'arte performance featuring traditional masks – Pantalone, Brighella, and Harlequin, and Scaramouche will generously slap the Doctor and the Captain. It is believed that the Venice Carnival grew out of the comedy of masks, and it is the mask that becomes the organizing and guiding force of the general merriment, when all hierarchies and social conventions are abolished. But that is only what people think.
In fact, for a long time now the carnival has had costumed participants in masks – and spectators who gape at them, so the Venice Carnival increasingly resembles a theatrical performance. There will, of course, be processions, parades, masquerade balls, live music, and amusement rides. The magic of the carnival will completely envelop the city, and on the closing day the "Angel" will be launched from St. Mark's bell tower – no longer a rag doll, as before, but an acrobat in costume. And yet it is a big show for tourists, not a folk celebration "for everyone." This year's carnival theme may seem interesting to some – "Casanova." Obviously, all participants and spectators of the carnival should prepare for the inevitable games of amorous adventure. //www.carnevale.venezia.it
Celebrations in honor of St. Valentine, February 2 – March 3, Terni. In the city of Terni, where the relics of St. Valentine are kept, they want to move away from the vulgar interpretation of the "holiday of all lovers" – with plush hearts, sugary vows, and tear-jerking romance. After all, the city remembers its bishop, who was martyred in the 3rd century. Life in love is life in God, so the city's residents perceive the concept of "love" more broadly.
This year, in addition to prayers and special masses, the organizers have prepared a whole range of events that should gradually expand the horizons of human consciousness in the understanding of love: poetry evenings, thematic exhibitions, music concerts and sports competitions, and numerous charity events united by a common theme: "Delight of Love." It sounds terrible, of course, but one has to start the conversation about great love somewhere. //www.sanvalentinoeventi.com
Netherlands
Carnival, February 6-8, Maastricht. It is considered the brightest and noisiest carnival in the Netherlands, and it is there that they know how to have fun for real, without “dark” excesses – after all, the carnival frenzy is guarded by a huge policeman doll. The carnival begins with a march of brass bands through the city, which immediately sets residents and guests up for real, lively participation in processions and fancy-dress competitions on Sunday, and on Monday parents will fondly watch the children's carnival. On Tuesday the merriment will be universal, and the chosen Carnival Prince will prepare all participants for the inevitable burning of the huge Mousewife doll – the madness will end, and the time of Lent will come. //www.cybercomm.nl
France
Mimosa Festival, February 7-13, Saint-Raphael. Carnival revelry will take over all of France and will not differ much from the general European carnival madness. But in Saint-Raphael, the winter-farewell celebrations will be combined with the mimosa festival – the flowers that have become a symbol of the growing strength of spring. The festival will open with a flower parade: numerous processions of floats decorated with mimosas will pass through the city streets, and then the usual carnival fun will whirl the city around. However, during the week you can visit several exhibitions of “sun flowers” to feel the imminent arrival of spring. //www.saint-raphael.com
Carnival, February 12-27, Nice. As in other European cities, Nice sees off winter with laughter and to the sound of music. Rock festivals and other music concerts, theatrical parades, performances by strolling actors and magicians, and – the main feature of the carnival in Nice – huge papier-mâché dolls taking part in the processions, will delight the residents of the “French Riviera” and tourists for two whole weeks. Welcome to the mad world, for this year's carnival theme is “King of Crazy Mood”. //www.nicecarnaval.com
Lemon Festival, February 11-27, Menton. France's lemon capital, Menton, holds every year an unusually spectacular and “appetizing” festival on the eve of the most abundant lemon harvest (since lemons are actually grown there year-round). Citrus fruits will be the main hero of this celebration. Parades in which floats decorated with structures made of lemons take part, tastings of citrus dishes and drinks, performances by folk music groups, exhibitions with lemon installations, and evening fireworks make this festival truly sunny and joyful. //www.feteducitron.com
Czech Republic
Ball Season, February 1-28, Prague. More than a hundred balls will be held in Prague in February this year, with themed and “professional” balls attracting people of different musical tastes and ages. The ball season opens at the Municipal House, where both the Prague Symphony Orchestra and popular Czech performers will appear. The most “classical” is the Prague “Opera Ball”, and the most cheerful is the “Police Ball”. Tickets for the balls cost from 30 to 100 euros, that is, not “wildly expensive”. All that remains is to choose an outfit and learn the basic steps of ballroom dancing, so as not to be just an onlooker of an age-old entertainment. //www.pis.eunet.cz, www.obecnidum.cz
Switzerland
Carnival, February 14-16, Basel. This carnival, held since the 14th century, is one of the oldest in Europe. Its beginning is very characteristic: at four in the morning the city wakes to the beating of drums and the wailing of pipes, then the electricity is turned off for a few minutes, and the darkness, full of secrets and vague forebodings, is illuminated by the glow of thousands of little lanterns. The carnival begins with this “glowing” procession. Only members of carnival groups (Cliquen) may participate in the procession, but spectators will not be bored either. After watching the procession, you can go to pubs and restaurants to sample special carnival treats and mulled wine. The next day the main event will take place – the carnival “train”, a funny skirmish with streamers and confetti, and the traditional “singers” competition: who can sing more out of tune. Then there will be a children's carnival, an exhibition of lanterns on the city's central square, and a concert by Guggenmusik, playing ancient and modern music on brass instruments. The carnival ends with the extinguishing of the lanterns, which symbolizes the end of the wild fun and the beginning of Lent. Carnivals will also be held these days in other cities of Switzerland. //www.baseltourismus.ch