Carnival

MAŠKARE, POKLADE, FAŠNIK or KARNEVAL

CARNIVAL, MASQUERADE, FANCY BALL, FANCY DRESS BALL

Whatever you call it,  arguably this is the happiest time of the year!

Masquerades are fun for the whole family, we all become someone else under the chosen mask, we forget about everyday life and with dancing and fun one whole period we literally live "masquerades"!

Therefore, be sure to put a visit to the Rijeka Carnival in your bucket list for 2023, become whatever you want that day and achieve unforgettable moments!

Although customs, rules and rituals begin and end differently in Croatia, they all include masked processions and dances, torches, fireworks, flowers, confetti and coriander, and finally the solemn burning or burial of a large doll, the personification of the "Prince of Carnival". or often called "desert".

Masquerades are fun for the whole family, we all become someone else under the chosen mask, we forget about everyday life and with dancing and fun one whole period we literally live "masquerades"!

The roots of the carnival actually go back to the distant 9th century, they are associated with Gregory the Great and the church regulation of renunciation of meat on the eve of Ash Wednesday, "Carne Vale" - goodbye meat. Thus, the final time before Lent became a time of masks, parties, some typical food for that time, music, socializing, various customs and traditions typical of certain areas.

The most famous carnival in Croatia is the Rijeka Carnival, due to whose successful organization the city of Rijeka became a member of the European Association of Carnival Cities. In 2019 there were 11000 participants on the event.

The Rijeka Carnival is a combination of European civic carnival, it has elements of folklore and mythology of the ancient Slavs. The culmination of the carnival takes place on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The carnival is attended by processions from various parts of Croatia and abroad, and the motifs they present range from traditional to modern. Cynicism, sarcasm and irony are very common guests in masks, although the creativity and overall expression of masked groups and individuals transcends all boundaries of imagination.

This year, unfortunately, the carnival has been postponed. Unfortunately,  many manifestations and events have been postponed. But we are sure that the "masquerade spirit" does not disappear just like that, nor will all the centuries-old tradition.

Therefore, be sure to put a visit to the Rijeka Carnival in your bucket list for 2023, become whatever you want that day and achieve unforgettable moments!