Shrovetide, the most bizarre holiday of the year
January 2008 - It doesn’t matter whether you call it Shrovetide or carnival, this is always one of the liveliest and most exciting holidays of the entire year. Present-day Shrovetide celebrations in the Czech Republic take their inspiration from the Venice carnival and local folk traditions. However, they all have one thing in common: prior to a seemingly never-ending fast before Easter people wanted to feast and enjoy themselves and we are still doing that today with the same gusto as centuries ago.
Bohemian Carnavale
(photo: TRIGLAW)
‘Be whatever you want to be’ is the call of the Bohemian Carnevale in Prague, a festival of talent and creativity and a treat for the senses. From 31 January until 5 February 2008, carnival will take over the streets of the city and its unbridled vivacity will make you want to take a mask and join the parade. At the carnival Salon in the Clam-Gallas Palace you can transform yourself into the figure of your dreams and, at the same time, see how carnival masks and costumes are made. If you like the way you look perhaps you should take part in the DIVERTIMENTO FURIOSO, a costume and mask contest set to take place February 2 on the Old Town Square.
Celebrate your success at the contest at the GALACTICOS gala evening. The CUISINE D'ALCHIMISTE will add a little flavour to the gastronomic side of the festival and involves displays of Shrovetide culinary art at some of Prague’s hotels, restaurants and bars. In Moravia, Shrovetide is called ‘fašank’ and typical celebrations can be seen in the Slovácko village of Strání . February 1 – 6 2008 the village will echo to the sound of folk music, dance, theatre performances and film.
The main part of the programme will take place on February 2 and will include a pork feast, displays of folk crafts and performances by folk ensembles. The Shrovetide parade will take place on Tuesday February 5 and is sure to include the celebrated Sword Dance. The town of Kadaň will also hold Shrovetide celebrations on February 16 2008, this time with a Schweik theme. Revellers in costume and many onlookers will set off in procession from the castle to the Franciscan Monastery where displays of traditional folk crafts and a pork feast will await them.
Other Shrovetide celebrations:
- Shrovetide in Cheb – 2. 2. 2008.
- Shrovetide at the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm 2. 2. 2008
- Kyjov Shrovetide procession – 3. 2. 2008
- Shrovetide in Telč – 10. 2. 2008
- Shrovetide at the Mining Museum in Příbram – 9. 2. 2008
