It's about dancing, eating, drinking, partying. Carnival is known across the world in different countries and in various ways. But they all know the same Catholic origin: the last opportunity to indulge before 40 days of fasting starts - this year as of yesterday.
Rio (Brazil), Venice (Italy), Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Binche (Belgium), Nice (France) and of course The Netherlands - all have their own way of celebrating Carnival. Some are known for their feathers, others for their nice masks or beautiful costumes.
Of course I'm mainly known with the Dutch carnival. I'm raised in the south of the country where carnival plays a big role in peoples lives. The deeper you go into the south of NL, the more important the costume and the story behind your dress instead of mainly 'hossen' (kind of dancing) and beer drinking.
Similarities across the world are the the big hand-made cars in the parades. Creating ideas and first hands are put on it months in advance. Also are people dancing in the streets, unrecognizable and everywhere while enjoying many many drinks.
Besides similarities, there are also some differences I noticed in my research. As mentioned before, differences in costumes is a big one. Dutchies like to dress up according themes: movies, fairytales, etc. preferably as unrecognizable as possible as themselves but rather as some figure. But concerning the latter, in Nice or Venice they can do it better - they wear beautiful masks. You should try to recognize somebody on the streets. And then there is of course Rio; RIIIIhhooohhhooo!! The carnival over there should be completely different. We work for months and months on our outfits and cars, but for Brazilians it is important to have their body in perfect admirable shape. Why? Well, they hardly wear anything... Besides tiny shiny featherly dresses and higher than high heals, not much. It is probably far too hot in that country, to hide yourself in a costume or behind a mask. Is it the climate, the impudence or passion of the Brazilians that makes the difference?
I asked friends around the world to send me some pictures of their carnival this year and I found some great ones on the internet. You can tell they all have had an amazing time. But do you notice the difference in location?
(Netherlands) (Rio) (Venice)
(Parade in rio) (parade in Maastricht)
Rio (Brazil), Venice (Italy), Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Binche (Belgium), Nice (France) and of course The Netherlands - all have their own way of celebrating Carnival. Some are known for their feathers, others for their nice masks or beautiful costumes.
Of course I'm mainly known with the Dutch carnival. I'm raised in the south of the country where carnival plays a big role in peoples lives. The deeper you go into the south of NL, the more important the costume and the story behind your dress instead of mainly 'hossen' (kind of dancing) and beer drinking.
Similarities across the world are the the big hand-made cars in the parades. Creating ideas and first hands are put on it months in advance. Also are people dancing in the streets, unrecognizable and everywhere while enjoying many many drinks.
Besides similarities, there are also some differences I noticed in my research. As mentioned before, differences in costumes is a big one. Dutchies like to dress up according themes: movies, fairytales, etc. preferably as unrecognizable as possible as themselves but rather as some figure. But concerning the latter, in Nice or Venice they can do it better - they wear beautiful masks. You should try to recognize somebody on the streets. And then there is of course Rio; RIIIIhhooohhhooo!! The carnival over there should be completely different. We work for months and months on our outfits and cars, but for Brazilians it is important to have their body in perfect admirable shape. Why? Well, they hardly wear anything... Besides tiny shiny featherly dresses and higher than high heals, not much. It is probably far too hot in that country, to hide yourself in a costume or behind a mask. Is it the climate, the impudence or passion of the Brazilians that makes the difference?
I asked friends around the world to send me some pictures of their carnival this year and I found some great ones on the internet. You can tell they all have had an amazing time. But do you notice the difference in location?
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