 Italy  Carne = meat  Vale = farewell  Christians in mediaevil Holland adopted Carnival as the last chance to eat, drink and be merry prior to the forty days fasting before Easter.

 Typical katholic feast (South of the Netherlands)  It’s an eating fest  Forty days of fasting before Easter  7 weeks before Easter  Carnival is from sunday till wednesday

OOn the 11th November the Carnival season starts. 440 days before the 21st December = shortest day

 In the Middle Ages the jesters of the court were already dressed in the colors red, yellow and green.  Red:love, passion and propagation;  Yellow: humor and justice;  Green: new life, connection, balance and harmony.

TTraditional clothing exists of detailed elaborated costumes. CCostumes based on a certain theme, e.g. a fairytale.

 Thursday before carnival.  Women dressed as old ladies, who are not recognizable.  Men are banned on the streets, humiliated and driven away.

 Prince  Key transfer : Mayor hands over the key to the Prince Carnival  Implication of key transfer : Power of City now in hands of the Prince Carnival for 3 days.

 On Sunday: great parade for everybody, dressed up in costumes  On Monday: childrens’parade  On Tuesday: wild marching bands e.g. “de Zaate Herremonie”

 On Wednesday: herring bite  On Thursday: castellans ball