It's almost February: it's Carnival time!

In about a month, we will be ready to dress up and walk down the streets to celebrate Carnivals.

There are famous Carnivals around the world, especially in Europe and America.The most famous ones are Rio de Janeiro or Venice Carnivals. But there are so many more, as for instance Carnival of Cologn.

 It is a large ceremony that involves parade and big celebrations with parties, circus and masks.

 But why is the Carnival celebrated? 

It's usually the celebration of seasonal changes. Hundred years ago in Italy, before the first day of Lent,  the Catholics were holding a Festival called "carnevale" ( carne, levare) where they were dressing up. Carnivale means " to put away the meat", because during the Lent, Catholics aren't supposed to eat meat. After a while, this tradition spread in all the Catholic countries in Europe. Afterwards, French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies brought with them the practise of Carnivals in America and around the world.

Another legend says that old farmers dressed up in their monster's costumes to ward off the threat brought by the devil creatures and keep them away during the long nights of winter time.

According to the Religious Calendar, the Carnivals start on the 6th of January, the day of the Epiphany and end at Mardi gras, one day before the Lent. Mardi Gras is also called "Fat Tuesday" because it is the last opportunity for the Catholics to eat protein-rich food.

One of the most famous Carnival in Belgium is " le Carnaval de Binche" and lasts 3 days ( Sunday-Monday and Tuesday). The Gilles are the main characters: they wear wax masks, wooden footwear and vibrant dress. At Mardi Gras, they come up with hats decorated with ostrich plumes that cost a great deal of money. Not everybody can become a Gilles, you have to be born in Binche and live there, it's a tradition from generation to generation.



It's time to find your most beautiful costume because Carnival is almost there!