Carnival Around the World

How the 40 days Before Ash Wednesday and Lent are Celebrated.

Jan 18, 2009 Jennifer L. Price

The traditions and parties associated with the days before Lent are popular festivals and tourist destinations for locations like Venice, New Orleans, and Rio de Janeiro.

Ash Wednesday is a day recognized by Christians, particularly Catholics, as the first day of Lent. The date is different evrry year, but it occurs 40 days before Easter. Traditionally, Lent is a time of fasting and prayer representing the time Jesus spent in the desert, but before the time of penance and fasting, many countries host pre-Lenten festivals, which, rooted in pagan history, often represent a “last opportunity” for indulgence.

Around the world, these festivals include:

Carnevale (Venice, Italy)

The first recorded Carnival celebration was in 1268, was banned in the 1930s by the Fascist government, but then rediscovered in the 1980s. Made from a variety of materials by master mascherari, the masks and costumes worn during the celebration have come to represent Venice’s beauty, secretive nature, and elegance. Now, the two-week event which lasts approximately two weeks has become a popular tourist attraction, with special events such as parades, gala dinners, balls, and a party in the popular St. Mark’s Square on Shrove Tuesday, the final day of Carnevale.

Mardi Gras (New Orleans, Louisiana, USA)

The Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana began as a French Catholic tradition in the late 17th century; the term “Mardi Gras” is French for “Fat Tuesday,” the last day of the three-day festival. The event is known for its parade with masked partiers throwing beaded necklaces and other trinkets to revelers. Although the event has suffered since Hurricane Katrina hit the city, Mardi Gras is making a comeback as a popular tourist destination.

Fastnacht/Fasching/Karnevale (Germany)

Germany’s celebrations of the days before Lent change based on the region. In the West, the Karneval celebrations include parades and costume balls, the Eastern and Southern part of the country celebrate Fasching, and the Southwest celebrates Fastnacht. Considered Germany’s “silly season,” events include local women taking over the town’s government building, men’s ties being cut off by single women during revelry, and parades with silly string and parties filled with locals wearing masks.

Shrove Tuesday (United Kingdom, Australia)

The day before Ash Wednesday is called Shrove Tuesday in England, Ireland, and Australia. Pancakes are associated with the day because they were considered a way to use up several of the rich foods before the fasting season. While it is not as much of a tourist destination as some of the other carnival festivities, some local traditions such as pancake races and Shrove Tuesday football are popular events.

Carnaval (Brazil)

The Brazilian Carnival, held the four days before Ash Wednesday, is another popular destination for travelers looking for a party with elaborate costumes, parades, and live music. The events in Rio de Janeiro began in the 1830s when the city attempted to replicate the parades and balls of fanciful Europe; it has since turned into its own extravagant event.

Dates for 2009

Carnevale (Venice)—February 13, 2009-February 24, 2009
Mardi Gras (New Orleans)—February 24, 2009
Fastnact/Fasching/Karnevale (Germany)—approximately February 19, 2009-February 25, 2009
Shrove Tuesday (United Kingdom, Australia)—February 24, 2009
Carnaval (Brazil)—February 22, 2009-February 25, 2009

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