The Carefree Traveller
Mardi Gras, Carnival, Carnaval, Carnivale, Karneval, Fasching
Mardi Gras always takes place on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day. Mardi Gras
(French for "Fat Tuesday") is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is the final day of Carnival,
though the term is often used incorrectly to describe the days and weeks preceding Shrove
Tuesday.
The Fasching season in Germany and Bavaria officially starts on the 11th November at 11:11am
and continues pretty low key for about 3 months until seven weeks before Easter, culminating
on Ash Wednesday.
In some cultures Carnival begins 12 days after Christmas, on Twelfth Night (January 6) and
ends on Mardi Gras, which always falls exactly 46 days before Easter. In Russia, this celebration
is called Maslenitsa and runs the entire week prior to Russian Orthodox Lent, the season which
precedes Pascha (Easter).
Traditionally the events leading up to Ash Wednesday are one last big bash before the 46 days
of penitence and fasting (from Ash Wednesday to Easter) known as Lent.
Until the Middle Ages carnival celebrations were boisterous but fairly simple. Around A.D. 1500,
under Emperor Maximilian, masked balls following tournaments became the rage of the imperial
court. They reached their highest development during the 17th and 18th centuries, when
Venetian influence merged with folkloric elements.
Mardi Gras/Carnival is mainly celebrated in areas of the world where there is a strong Roman
Catholic or Orthodox Christian influence or background. But the festivities of Carnival attract
persons of all beliefs.
In Southern Italy, people dress up in costumes and put on an ancient play during the Carnival.
In Rio de Jeneiro, people wear costumes and dance in the streets.
In Nice, France people wear giant masks in the Mardi Gras parade and look like walking heads
with tiny bodies.
In Binche, Belgium people dress in colorful clown costumes and carry baskets of oranges which
they throw to the watching crowds.
In Russia, people feast on Blini (Russian pancakes) topped with caviar, mushrooms, jam, sour
cream, and lots of butter.
In Germany, the ubiquitous food of Carnival season is donuts (Krapfen).
In New Orleans, trinkets, especially beads and doubloons, are tossed to the crowds from the
parade floats. The most popular food during Mardi Gras are King Cakes. Sold in bakeries,
grocery stores and delis from January 6 to Ash Wednesday, locals and visitors alike eat king
cake for breakfast, coffee break, and dessert.
Mardi Gras always takes place on Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day. Mardi Gras
(French for "Fat Tuesday") is the day before Ash Wednesday, and is the final day of Carnival,
though the term is often used incorrectly to describe the days and weeks preceding Shrove
Tuesday.
The Fasching season in Germany and Bavaria officially starts on the 11th November at 11:11am
and continues pretty low key for about 3 months until seven weeks before Easter, culminating
on Ash Wednesday.
In some cultures Carnival begins 12 days after Christmas, on Twelfth Night (January 6) and
ends on Mardi Gras, which always falls exactly 46 days before Easter. In Russia, this celebration
is called Maslenitsa and runs the entire week prior to Russian Orthodox Lent, the season which
precedes Pascha (Easter).
Traditionally the events leading up to Ash Wednesday are one last big bash before the 46 days
of penitence and fasting (from Ash Wednesday to Easter) known as Lent.
Until the Middle Ages carnival celebrations were boisterous but fairly simple. Around A.D. 1500,
under Emperor Maximilian, masked balls following tournaments became the rage of the imperial
court. They reached their highest development during the 17th and 18th centuries, when
Venetian influence merged with folkloric elements.
Mardi Gras/Carnival is mainly celebrated in areas of the world where there is a strong Roman
Catholic or Orthodox Christian influence or background. But the festivities of Carnival attract
persons of all beliefs.
In Southern Italy, people dress up in costumes and put on an ancient play during the Carnival.
In Rio de Jeneiro, people wear costumes and dance in the streets.
In Nice, France people wear giant masks in the Mardi Gras parade and look like walking heads
with tiny bodies.
In Binche, Belgium people dress in colorful clown costumes and carry baskets of oranges which
they throw to the watching crowds.
In Russia, people feast on Blini (Russian pancakes) topped with caviar, mushrooms, jam, sour
cream, and lots of butter.
In Germany, the ubiquitous food of Carnival season is donuts (Krapfen).
In New Orleans, trinkets, especially beads and doubloons, are tossed to the crowds from the
parade floats. The most popular food during Mardi Gras are King Cakes. Sold in bakeries,
grocery stores and delis from January 6 to Ash Wednesday, locals and visitors alike eat king
cake for breakfast, coffee break, and dessert.
Mardi Gras Celebrations
Mardi Gras in New Orleans (Louisiana)
Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge (Louisiana)
Mobile Mardi Gras (Alabama)
Mardi Gras in Galveston (Texas)
Aruba Carnival (West Indies)
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival (West Indies)
Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Carnaval in Recife (Brazil)
Carnaval in Salvador da Bahia (Brazil)
Carnaval in São Paulo (Brazil)
Carnevale de Venizia /Venice Carnival (Italy)
Viareggio Carnevale (Italy)
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel. Switzerland)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
Mardi Gras in Baton Rouge (Louisiana)
Mobile Mardi Gras (Alabama)
Mardi Gras in Galveston (Texas)
Aruba Carnival (West Indies)
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival (West Indies)
Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Carnaval in Recife (Brazil)
Carnaval in Salvador da Bahia (Brazil)
Carnaval in São Paulo (Brazil)
Carnevale de Venizia /Venice Carnival (Italy)
Viareggio Carnevale (Italy)
Kölner Karneval (Cologne Germany)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel. Switzerland)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
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Online carefree travel service for festivals, special events, villa and vacation home rentals, vacation packages,
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.