Many people simply call it “Carnival” according to the latin meaning of this name. The celebration in which “the meat was removed” from the table (carnem levare), or rather, it was eaten for the last time, before the 40 days of penance of Lent. In Europe it is known by this name, even if elsewhere in the world they call it in the French way, “Mardi Gras”, or “Fat Tuesday”… precisely because it was a day of absolute celebration, of great eating and of the absence of rules. Because of the freedom to break every rule, people had to dress up in masks so as not to be recognized! There are many places in the world where Mardi Gras is celebrated. Here are some ideas you should take note of.
Brazil: Rio de Janeiro
Rio’s Carnival is perhaps the most famous Mardi Gras in the world. Even though, compared to other celebrations, it is the least varied. The entire celebration takes place inside the samba circuit, called “Sambodromo”. Here the samba schools parade, dancing in sumptuous, colorful and sparkling costumes to the rhythm of engaging music. The masks are worn only by the dancers, and are very original indeed. The feast in Rio starts in February and, since it is summer time in Brazil, the weather is always nice and warm. It is no surprise that many dancers are half-naked! For a trip to Rio, the reference airport is Rio Galeão Airport (GIG)
USA: New Orleans
This carnival – once celebrated in the romantic French Quarter, now takes place in the uptown neighborhoods. Wider streets allow for larger parades of increasingly impressive floats. Each float is preceded and followed by musical processions dressed in spectacular costumes. The fun is guaranteed for weeks. It begins on January 6th and continues until the actual day of Mardi Gras (late February or early March). The airport where you will land to witness this spectacle is New Orleans International (MSY).
Italy: a wide choice!
In February, in Italy, the choice of carnival is varied because there are dozens of cities that boast a spectacular Mardi Gras. The most famous is certainly Venice Carnival, where only the rich masks of the figures dressed in baroque clothes can go parade; you can admire them but never touch! A certainly elegant celebration but less engaging than others. More festive and funny is Viareggio Carnival, in Tuscany, where enormous floats parade along the seafront among rows of masked happy people. In Sicily, in Acireale (video here), the floats are illuminated all night and move with computer-generated actions, surrounded by the crowd freely dressed in masks. Finally, in Sardinia, it is worth admiring the carnival of the Mamuttones (the goat-men who dance to the sound of hundreds of metal cowbells – video here) in the streets of the town of Mamoiada (near Nuoro). As for the reference airports, look on our website for those of Venice, Florence, Catania and Olbia.
Spain: Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The most beautiful carnival in the Canary Islands and one of the most beautiful in the world, the Mardi Gras of Tenerife takes place in February on two circuits: the “official” one – which, like in Rio de Janeiro, includes the participation of masked dance schools – and the “street” one where ordinary people, freely masked, parade in the center of the route. If you want to admire this carnival, you will land at Tenerife South Airport (TFS).
Bolivia: Oruro
The Oruro Carnival is probably the largest and most famous popular event in Bolivia, lasting one week around the Mardi Gras Day. The parade consists of a large crowd of many-colored people in their masks and costumes, dancing around the local folk groups (over 50!) usually representing ancient Natives’ spirits or devils. You can land at local Oruro Airport after taking a national flight from La Paz Airport (LPB). (PHOTO BY Jeanne Boleyn)