Masopust: Carneval in the Czech Republic
February 6, 2012 - Eating and carousing to your heart's content - thus is the origin of the Carneval, which originally lasted from the Epiphany until Ash Wednesday, when Lent (the spring fast season) began. The tradition goes back to the Middle Ages, and has traditionally drawn all of society: poor and rich, countryside and city. Czech carneval ("Masopust") is celebrated all over the country, with people dressing up in all kinds of outlandish (and often homemade) costumes. If you are turned off by the commerce of Mardi Gras a la New Orleans, come and see a truly local celebration.
Carneval takes several forms in Prague, with the largest being the Carnevale Praha festival from February 25 to March 9. In addition to events on Old Town Square, the festival includes other events at theatres, galleries, museums, palaces and schools. Partner restaurants offer special meals. For some events, costumes are de rigeur. Make sure to make, rent or buy your costumes in time.
A decidedly less commercial and more grassroots event is the Žižkov Masopust, steeped in the tradition of that Prague district's alternative and working class history. The festival (now in its 19th year) was declared one of Prague's top three attractions by the UK's Guardian newspaper, also was also featured recently in the New York Times. The four-day marathon of festivities, costumes, and unbridled fund starts on Saturday, February 18 with a children's costume afternoon at the Palác Akropolis and culminates on Tuesday, February 21 with a giant parade through all of Žižkov (starting point: náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad). The parade starts at 5pm, but the plaza will be filled with festivities all day long.
Pork: The meat of Masopust
Traditionally, the highlight of carneval (especially in rural villages) was the pig slaughter. After all, with below-freezing temperatures all day, this is the best time to preserve the meat. At the fourth annual carneval in Hustopeče (February 18), you can taste all manner of pork products. There will also be entertainment, a parade, and more. The Hustopeče carneval is traditionally a charitable event: You can contribute your share by purchasing a bowl of soup, wine glasses or taking part in a wine auction organized by the local vintners.
You don't have to stay in or near Prague to experience Czech carnival. Český Krumlov has a rich offering of parades, cotumes, street theatre, musicians, and more, everything from February 18 to 21.Two kilometers south of Příbram (itself an hour's drive south of Prague), you will find the small mining village of Bohutín. This year, the village's carneval celebration turns 85. The very first carnival parade consisted of just a few people criss-crossing the village and collecting donations for a new firetruck. Later, decorate floats were added, including horse-drawn automobiles carrying newlywed. (The locals decided that getting married at carnival was a guarantee for a happy and lasting union). Over time, the floats disappeared and were replaced by street theater. This year's festivities take place on February 21.
Moravia's "fašank" is not the same as Germany's "Fasching"
In Moravia, carneval is called "fašank". Not only do the Moravians call it something else, they also have different traditions. But one thing remains the same: our ancestors used this celebration to mark the end of winter in good spirits. In Olomouc, the local traditions were revived by the Olomouc Waldorf School. The parade will take place on February 17.
In Postřekov near Domažlice in Western Bohemia, carneval is grand event, with a masked ball on Saturday, a parade with traditional folk costumes on Sunday, and a women's ball on Sunday (traditionally, there were no bachelors allowed, but today everyone is welcome). The festivities take place from February 18 to 21.
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