«Life inside out, world vice versa»

In Europe, after Christmas and New Year comes the "fifth season". That is how Europeans call a merry carnival season, during which everything turns on its head: it becomes a serious funny, but forbidden available. For many centuries consecutive winter in Europe escort noisy festivities, and the last days before Lent is carried out in unrestrained joy.

Carnival culture is very old. The earliest mention of the carnivals in various cities in Western Europe accounted for IX-Xveka. The first carnival appeared in Italy, then France and Germany.
The word carnival is explained in various ways. According to one version of the two Latin root-carno and vale means "farewell to meat", since Carnival is traditionally held 40 days before Holy Week, and were a kind abroad, behind which begins Lent, which meant the abandonment of animal food and carnal pleasures. But the carnival permit all - in fact the leading motivation of any carnival abundance, derived from ancient harvest festivals.
According to another version - car and val is translated as "ship fools." The transition from winter to spring is marked by universal laughter, during which people forget about all satisfied with the fair city, mass folk festivals, rallies, and masquerades. This is a wake-up time of "hibernation", while madness, bright costumes and the general jubilation, a time when a person hiding under the mask, you can commit unspeakable acts. "Other contingent!" - The slogan of any carnival. These days taken to joke and rejoice the heart, which is why the main characters are parodists carnival, circus, and comedians, as the main figure, which sets the tone for a colorful procession - buffoon.
But, despite the fact that everything that happens at the carnival has highlighted a game character, for this event are quite serious, since the carnival is not just a fun holiday, but also a tribute to tradition. Therefore, in some cities this holiday start to prepare for six months in advance. Need to choose the king of carnival, and other important personages who are responsible for parades, processions, jokes, contests, musical concerts and theatrical performances.

So, please consider the carnival season is open! Offer you the most vivid and interesting carnivals in Europe - because each of these grand celebrations ec Tb added color and a special atmosphere:

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Carnival in Venice will be held on February 19-20 and February 26 to March 8, 2011
Official Website : carnevale.venezia.it

Carnival on the island of Sicily (g.Achireale) will be held on February 19-20, from 26 to 27 February and from 2 to 8 March 2011
Official Site: carnevaleacireale

Carnival on the island of Sardinia (g.Nuoro) will be held from 6 to 8 March 2011
Official Site: mamuthonesmamoiada.it

wide range of exciting carnival programs in Italy offers a tour operator DSBW

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Carnival in Nice will take place from February 18 to March 8, 2011
Official Website : nicecarnaval

Carnival will be held in Paris on March 6, 2011
Official Site: carnavaldeparis

Germany

Carnival Cologne will take place from 3 to 9 March 2011
Official Site: koelnerkarneval.de

Carnival will be held in Berlin on Feb. 27, 2011
Official Site: karnevals-zug-berlin.de

Carnival in D