The most interesting carnivals around the world

Mainz Carnival

November 11 - February 28
Mainz, Germany

This is one of the longest carnivals in the world: according to tradition, every year it begins at 11:11 on November 11 and ends only on the eve of Easter. A distinctive feature of the holiday in Mainz is its political orientation. During the processions, you can see huge caricature figures of politicians made of papier-mache, with topical slogans in their hands. The main events fall on Oil Week. Among them are “pink Monday” and “ash environment”, during which a mass feast is arranged.

Cadiz Carnival

February 23 - March 5
Cadiz, Spain

One of the features of the Cadiz carnival is that everything here is subordinated to music. Participants unite in different groups - choirs, quartets - and drive through the streets of the city on decorated platforms, performing various melodies on medieval instruments like bandurria or lute. They are accompanied by disguised street artists, jugglers and solderers.

If during the carnival you meet a person dressed in the costume of a pig, be sure to feed him wholeheartedly, invite him to share a bottle of nutmeg with you and sing him a song dedicated to St. Anthony, the patron saint of livestock and animals. That's the Cadiz tradition. It is believed that this brings great luck.

26-28 February
Bensch, Belgium

The Benche Carnival has been held since 1934 and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its participants – Gilli – don bright costumes with images of red and black lions and funny white masks, and then march through the streets surrounded by pierots and harlequins. Along the way, they wave sticks, scaring away evil spirits, and throw apples directly into the crowd.

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago

27-28 February
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

The carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is considered one of the most colorful in the world. It has African, Spanish and even Asian influences. That is why minstrels, French court musicians and South American dancers perform here at the same time. The climax of the holiday is a parade of orchestras where you can hear melodies from all over the world.

Mardi Gras

28 February
New Orleans, USA

The main events of Mardi Gras take place on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It is here that the grandiose costumed procession unfolds - its participants sit on huge platforms, which are made in a special factory Mardi Gras World. Each platform has its own theme, they can be dedicated to famous films, cartoons, celebrities or politicians. All this is accompanied by jazz orchestras.

Source: National Geographic