Official 'Rijeka Karneval' website: www.ri-karneval.com.hr
The 2011 Edition of the popular 'Rijeka Karneval' recently came to an end, and it was another successful conclusion to Rijeka's 600 year old carnival tradition. I've been to Rijeka a few times, however always during another part of the year so I haven't had a chance to partake of the festivities. I posted previously about last years carnival which you can check out here HERE. The carnival season in Croatia is a great time for one and all, and Rijeka's Carnival is the most popular one. There are a bunch of events to attend, from masquerade balls, music, and the childrens carnival, to parties, concerts, exhibitions and even snowboarding. (And great food, musn't forget the food) Contrary to many peoples misconceptions around here, Croatians don't just sit around milking cows. You can check out the links to see more photos and vidoes from this years event as well as from previous years of the 'Rijeka Karneval', at the 'Rijeka Karneval' official website at: www.ri-karneval.com.hr
FOTO: S.JEŽINA
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
www.croatiantraveller.com
www.novilist.hr
www.guide2croatia.net
www.argophilia.com
goeasteurope.about.com
fwww.inyourpocket.com
www.youtube.com
www.facebook.com
www.mojarijeka.hr
www.flicker.com
horvatorszag.info.hr
The Rijeka Carnival is held each year before Lent in Rijeka, Croatia. It is one of the biggest carnivals in Croatia. In 2008 it celebrated its 25th anniversary.
History
About a century ago Rijeka lived its carnival life more intensively than any other town in this part of Europe. Carnival parades were organized as well as carnival balls with the presence of Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats, Russian princesses, German barons, earls and countesses from all over Europe. The rebirth of the Rijeka Carnival started in 1982. It had only three performer groups in its parade and it was neither famous nor popular. The groups were "Lako ćemo", "Pehinarski feštari" and "Halubajski zvončari". All three groups have participated in the carnival each time since the beginning. The largest event happened in 2001 with 144 groups participating. Because of the restrictions that have been made regarding the number of participants in each group, the 2008 carnival had only 99 groups. Nonetheless, 150,000 visitors attended it.
Every year there are numerous events preceding the carnival itself. First the mayor of Rijeka gives the symbolic key of the city to Meštar Toni, who is "the maestro" of the carnival, and he becomes the mayor of the city during the carnival, although this is only figuratively. Same day, there is an election of the carnival queen. As all the cities around Rijeka have their own events during the carnival time, Queen and Meštar Toni are attending most of them.
Also, every year the Carnival charity ball is held in the Governor's palace in Rijeka. It is attended by politicians, people from sport and media life, as well as a number of ambassadors.
The weekend before the main event there are two other events held. One is Rally Paris - Bakar. (after the Dakar rally). The start is a part of Rijeka called Paris after the restaurant located there, and the end is in city of Bakar, located about 20 km south east. All of the participants of the rally wear masks, and the cars are mostly modified old cars. The other event is the children's carnival, held, like the main one, on Rijeka`s main walkway Korzo. The groups that participate are mostly from kindergartens and elementary schools, including groups from other parts of Croatia and neighboring countries.
The main carnival march is held on the last Sunday before the Ash Wednesday. It usually starts at noon. In the front there are the real mayor of Rijeka, the carnival Queen and Meštar Toni. The route of the march has several stages where the hosts present every group, and the main stage is situated in front of the city hall. The mayor, the queen and Meštar Toni stand in front of this stage and they greet all the groups coming afterward. The queen leaves this position only when the group, which she is originally from, pass the route of the carnival. Spectators usually gather to see the march all along its route. If the weather is good, up to 100,000 spectators may attend the carnival. Traditionally, the last group are Halubajski zvončari, and when they pass the march is over. Depending on the number of participants, this usually happens between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
A scene from the Gillete Snowboard Session.
A scene from the choosing of the childrens prince and princess
Of course, the march does not mark the end of the carnival. On the same evening, there is an event called the burning of the Pust. Pust is a puppet, that has some satiric name, very often after some politician, and he is blamed for all the bad things that happened in the preceding year. This event is held in Rijeka harbor, and before he is taken to the sea, a reading of charges is held, where a spokesman reads all of his sins. Afterwards, a boat takes the Pust to the sea and it is burned there. This tradition is held in all places around Rijeka, but it is held on Tuesday or Wednesday after the carnival.
In the last few years there are several parties held on various locations in Rijeka, some starting day before the carnival, and end in the night after the carnival. The most known is a carnival party held on Korzo, where various DJs perform.
The choosing of the Karneval Queen.
Croatian carnival guide
Source: www.cd-croatia.eu
Carnival in Croatia is a festive season which occurs immediately before Lent, the main events are usually during February. It is also known as Maškare or Karneval and takes place in various cities across the country.
Croatian Carnival typically involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. The culmination of every carnival celebration is a mock trial to an effigy called Fašnik or Pust, that represents the evil-doers and negative energy in general. After the trial Fašnik is usually sentenced to burn or hang and his execution represents a new and healthy beginning.
Both universal Carnival traditions and local traditions are practiced during this festival in Croatia. One of the most famous authentic Croatian carnival costume are Zvončari (the bellmen). They are traditionally dressed in white trousers, striped sailor shirts and wear a sheepskin throw. It is believed that they scare away the evil spirits with ringing their bells.
Rijeka is known as the Carnival Capital of Croatia, but Carnival festivities can be enjoyed in Samobor, Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Split, Kastav and elsewhere in Croatia. There are also summer carnivals. One of the most famous is the Senj Summer Carnival - the first was in 1968 and the tradition remained. Many other towns in the surroundings also organise Summer Carnivals (Mali Lošinj, Pag, Novi Vinodolski, Fužine, etc.).
RIJEKA CARNIVAL (January 21 - March 31 )
Rijeka has a six-century-old Carnival tradition reaching all the way back to Venetian and Austro-Hungarian times. The rebirth of modern Rijeka Carnival began in 1982. Today, with over 20,000 participants and over 600,000 domestic and foreign visitors it is by far the biggest Carnival in Croatia and, arguably, 3rd largest in the whole world.
Every year there are numerous events preceding the carnival itself. First the mayor hands over the town keys to the Master of the Carnival, at the same day the Rijeka Carnival Queen Pageant is held. There are many concerts, exhibitions, shows, masquerades and parties being held until the final culmination - the huge masked parade held on last Sunday of Carnival with many international participants. A similar procession for children takes place on the previous day.
Also, every year the charity Carnival ball is held in the Governor's palace in Rijeka. It is attended by politicians, people from sport and media life, as well as number of ambassadors and consuls accredited in Republic of Croatia.
Detailed program of Rijeka Carnival http://www.ri-karneval.com.hr/en/welcome
SAMOBOR CARNIVAL (February 26 - March 6)
While Rijeka is best-known for its large-scale Carnival celebrations, Samobor is known for the local flavor of its festivities. Samobor Carnival traditon is 185 years old. During the Carnival not only the people change their looks , but also the bars, restaurants and the streets. Since 1974 ceremonial trial is held, in which the Prince of Carnival (Fašnik) is tried and found guilty for all evils. After his incineration there is a big celebration and the visitors can ease their suffering over this „tragic" event with famous Samobor doughnuts (krafne) and custard slices (kremšnite). Children's masked parade is taking place on March 5th .
Detailed program of Samobor carnival http://www.samoborci.com/samoborski-fasnik/40-samoborski-fasnik-2011/241-program-samoborskog-fasnika-2011
ZAGREB CARNIVAL AND MASKED BALL IN LISINSKI (February 24 - March 8)
Zagreb Carnival is being held from 24 February to 8 March, main festivities will be held in the tents near Bundek Lake. Among many other interesting events, an intriguing manifestation called „Live pictures„ in Zagreb City Museum will be opened on 5 and 6 March. Museum staff, dressed as famous historical figures will reenact some of the scenes from their lives.
More details at http://fasnik.net/zimski-karneval/39-fasnik-u-zagrebu/60-program-zagrebackog-karnevala-2011
Lisinski Concert Hall is organizing a Masked Ball on March 5th, more information at http://www.lisinski.hr.
Rijeka - the largest carnival in Croatia
Source: www.suite101.com
Did you know that the city of Rijeka on the northern coast of Croatia hosts one of the largest international carnivals in the world?
Every February the world goes carnival crazy with the lead up to Lent: Rio, Venice and also in Croatia, where the spirit of Mardi Gras is alive and kicking. The Kvarner Riviera attracts over 150,000 revellers from all over Europe. The 2011 event was the largest in its history with again over 100 floats and troupes of 'zvoncari' bell ringers coming from all over south east Europe filling the city with music, noise and festivities: the Rijecki karneval!
I had spent a couple of days on the beautiful island of Cres, off the Kvarner coast and was joining in with the preparations for the big carnival. People were busy building amazing floats, extravagant costumes and masks whilst others were rehearsing music and dance, which would fill the streets of Rijeka in the final procession on Sunday.
Pagan Bell Ringers - the zvoncari
In villages all over the region the local young men were preparing themselves to ‘drive-out winter’. Early one morning I travelled up to the idyllic hillside village of Matulji just outside Rijeka. Here I was met by the colourfully dressed mayor and his small ‘oompah’ band. I guess they were very pleased to see me as they pressed a glass of the local brew, a heady mix of grappa and mountain herbs, locally known as 'rakija', into my hand. While this warmed my cockles he told me about the tradition of the ‘zvoncari’ which means ‘bell ringers’.
In ancient times, the evil spirits of winter were banished by these fearsome characters dressed in sheepskins, brandishing wooden clubs and bones whilst yelling and gyrating the cow bells hanging from their waists. But this hadn't really prepared me for the spectacle I was to experience later on that day.
Some footage from this years edition from Croatian NovaTV
Meeting of the Troupes with UNESCO Status
After a hearty, wholesome lunch of bread, cheese, ham and local wine I wandered into the crowds of people starting to line the streets. What was going on? Little did I realise, that Matulji was the village where the zvoncari were meeting before the big Sunday procession in Rijeka and already the square was filling with bright costumes and brass bands. Men from all over the area and indeed some coming from as far away as Poland and Slovakia as well as neighbouring Slovenia were arriving and getting into character. What a sight?
Each ‘tribe’ had a different outfit, some full sheepskin garbs with long red tongues and huge horns, some with outrageous head dresses and some even with real animal skulls over their faces. Real demonic versions of England’s own Morris Men! Once gathered together, each tribe began their exorcism of the ‘devil’ – winter.
Even with the economy not at it's best, people are already looking forward to planning next years Karneval even while they enjoyed this years festivities. Footage from Croatian RTL Television.
What a tremendous cacophony!
Bells clanging, shouting and yelling, whips cracking and drumming all followed through the village by brass bands and a costumed children’s parade. Leading up to the final Sunday grand parade in Rijeka, these troupes carry out their traditional ritual through all the towns and settlements of the Kvarner region, sometimes without rest, whilst the local people provide them with food and copious amounts of beer and wine.
Many zvoncari begin their path as toddlers and these littl'uns sometimes tag along in their tiny versions of their fathers full costumes, very cute. In 2010, to prove how significant they are, these pagan bell ringers gained international UNESCO status so as to be protected as a part of the region’s cultural-heritage.
Carnival Introduction
This was a perfect introduction to the full carnival spirit of Rijeka. The city is steeped in history. A place where mid-European culture and the Mediterranean climate meet. All around you spy the various influences of the Venetians, Italians, Austrians and Hungarians from the architecture to the customs, a real crossroads of culture.
Throughout the carnival period other festivities take place. From classical music concerts to masked balls and everyone is involved. Tens of thousands of people converge on the city every year. Over 120 floats and groups portraying everything from the Romans to political parodies to modern day environmental issues all vibrantly decorated, partying and parading through the city. www.ri-karneval.com.hr/en/
One of my fellow spectators told me that it takes nearly six hours for all the floats to pass by, but I was enjoying the atmosphere so much that time didn't matter! I even spotted the mayor - he was having a whale of a time dressed as a huge beer barrel leading his merry brass band! He gave me the biggest grin, probably because he had drank the contents before climbing into it!
Masked Car Rally
Although the roots of carnival go back centuries this event is always evolving for the last few years it has featured the Pariz-Bakar masked car rally. No this isn’t a spelling mistake! In Rijeka there is a region known as Pariz and nearby is the town of Bakar (once a leading Croatian town) and one of the countries best known racers Tihomir Filipovic, recognising the connection after completing the famous Paris-Dakar Rally, started the trend and now up to 200 brightly painted vehicles make the tour between the two points into Rijeka for the end of party banquet.
Visit Rijeka and Venice Carnivals
It is hard to believe that the Rijeka International Carnival is probably one of the largest in Europe and yet few people in the UK have heard of it. You could easily travel to the Venice Carnevale di Venezia and then come to Rijeka and do it all over again!
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