A festival with a long and varied history, Carnival is now a world-renowned celebration that takes place just before the Christian Lent. The origins of Carnival can be traced back to ancient times, with elements of the celebration coming from Roman and perhaps Greek festivals that suspended social norms and celebrated exuberantly.
Historical origins of the carnival
Finally, the name Carnival comes from the Latin word “carnelevare”, which means “to remove flesh”. This refers to the tradition of eating lavishly before Lent and using up all the meat and other animal products.
Carnival originally served as a kind of farewell celebration to the consumption of meat products during Lent. Over the centuries, carnival developed further and integrated various cultural influences. In the Middle Ages in particular, religious elements were incorporated into the festival to more clearly highlight the transition to Lent.
For example, parades depicting biblical stories or figures such as devils and angels were created. As the middle class became more important in the 19th century, political satire also became an integral part of the carnival. In caustic speeches or humorous songs, fools took aim at current events and local politicians - often under the guise of masked identities. Today, the character of the carnival has changed considerably depending on the region: while in some areas it is more traditional, in others more emphasis is placed on spectacular parades, imaginative costumes and exuberant parties.
However, one thing remains constant: people still like to use the carnival as an opportunity to step out of their everyday lives for a short time, to dress up and take on a different role. Carnival offers the opportunity to loosen up social conventions and escape the seriousness of life for a moment. Overall, carnival is a festival with a rich history that continues to bring people from different cultures together today.
Although its origins may lie far back, it has lost none of its fascination - on the contrary: year after year it attracts more and more visitors and delights young and old alike. The magic of carnival probably lies in the fact that it allows us to step out of our usual reality and celebrate happily together - whether dressed as a clown or a princess. "Celebrating Carnival, Mardi Gras or Fastnacht" read more