P 5U 3 Part I Carnival Carnival festivities

P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

Carnival festivities usually start on a Thursday in February and finish on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). The word "carnival" comes from the Latin "farewell to meat“, because people could not eat meat during Lent, the Christian season of penitence, until Easter. P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

Carnival began as a pagan (non-religious) celebration, a springtime festival when masters and slaves, women and men, rich and poor people could have a good time together. Costumes and music are very important in Carnival celebrations. Many people are dressed up in fancy dresses. P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

In Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, they do a dancing competition performed by samba schools. There are musical performances, colourful costumes and big floats in the streets. The festival lasts from the Saturday to the Tuesday before Lent. Schools close and kids dress up for the festivities. Street vendors sell many things in the streets: fried cheese balls, fried codfish balls, tropical fruit juices. . . P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

Carnival is celebrated in many other parts of the world: In Venice, people celebrate the end of winter in a one-week festival more than 700 years old. There you can see performances, acrobatics, ornate masks and elegant costumes. P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

In Quebec, Canada they have an ice palace, snow sculptures and their own mascot, Bonhomme. During this festival they have dog sledding and soapbox races in the streets. At night, parades fill the streets with marching bands and floats. P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

And in New Orleans, many people celebrate Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). There you can find extravagant balls, wild street parties and massive parades during the two-week festival in February. P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival

P 5/U 3 -Part I: Carnival