stewartwillsher
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- May 15, 2017
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This may be of interest to someone:
'Tis Carnaval (how it is spelled here) which is one of the most colourful and exuberant fiestas of the year in many Latin countries.
There are cabalgatas (processions) and theatre events and kids dressing up and all having a crazy time.
The origin is the using up of foodstuffs prior to Lent.
It is said to have originated close to our holiday home in the SW of Spain in Cadiz, which was a major sea port, so the event was "exported" to South and Central America and the Caribbean.
Some of their crazy additions then found their way back to Europe.
Mardi Gras, in the USA Southern States and the Caribbean, is "Greasy Tuesday" and "Carnaval" is thought to be a corruption of Carne and Var for "meat away".
Even Shrove Tuesday (pancake day) is celebrating the same event.
For many years, before our kids grew up and scarpered, I was involved, up to my neck, in many local events, including the Carnival where I usually borrowed a huge trailer and tractor from a farmer friend and drove it for several hours at the local do, after hours spent decorating it.
The odd thing was that the name was used for a summer celebration, which I now know is strictly not correct.
Our parades and crazy public displays in wild West Spain are nothing compared to South America, especially in Rio, but the shops here sell a huge range of garish cheap clothes and masks and wigs.
We have processions and noisy entertainment for all ages.
It is an excuse (as if one were needed) for booze and music and dance, with tamer parties for the kiddywinkies.
Felices carnaval a todos.
'Tis Carnaval (how it is spelled here) which is one of the most colourful and exuberant fiestas of the year in many Latin countries.
There are cabalgatas (processions) and theatre events and kids dressing up and all having a crazy time.
The origin is the using up of foodstuffs prior to Lent.
It is said to have originated close to our holiday home in the SW of Spain in Cadiz, which was a major sea port, so the event was "exported" to South and Central America and the Caribbean.
Some of their crazy additions then found their way back to Europe.
Mardi Gras, in the USA Southern States and the Caribbean, is "Greasy Tuesday" and "Carnaval" is thought to be a corruption of Carne and Var for "meat away".
Even Shrove Tuesday (pancake day) is celebrating the same event.
For many years, before our kids grew up and scarpered, I was involved, up to my neck, in many local events, including the Carnival where I usually borrowed a huge trailer and tractor from a farmer friend and drove it for several hours at the local do, after hours spent decorating it.
The odd thing was that the name was used for a summer celebration, which I now know is strictly not correct.
Our parades and crazy public displays in wild West Spain are nothing compared to South America, especially in Rio, but the shops here sell a huge range of garish cheap clothes and masks and wigs.
We have processions and noisy entertainment for all ages.
It is an excuse (as if one were needed) for booze and music and dance, with tamer parties for the kiddywinkies.
Felices carnaval a todos.