For those of you that have been following with us, we talked about how Carnival Season began this past Friday. If you want to know more, you can check out my last blog update.
Carnival period, as it is known, begins around Epiphany (or Twelfth Night/January 6) and ends on Ash Wednesday (the day before Lent begins.) This year, Lent begins on February 23.
The most famous holiday, however, that is best known and associated with this season is, drum roll please.…Mardi Gras. And it is played out mostly in two very famous cities: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and New Orleans, Louisiana.
What you may not know is that Venice, Italy is actually home to one of the most famous Carnival celebrations in the world. Carnival of Venice ring a bell?
What is so cool, is that records of festivities can be found dating back to the year 1268! For example, in 1294 A.D., Comte de Provence Charles II, Duc d’Anjou attended Carnival festivities in Nice, France. Carnival even back then included balls, masquerades, bonfires, jugglers, mimes, and more. There was a catch however, if you wanted to take part you had to show up in costume with a mask!
And there you have it. Some interesting tid bits of trivia for that hallway conversation or meeting ice breaker.
Happy Carnival!
Just my thoughts…
S.
