This three-week holiday represents a time of glee and feasting between two periods of fasting. The first records of the carnival in Bohemia and Moravia comes from the 13th century. The masquerade is the highlight of the Carnival.
The important parts of the parade constitute singing, dancing and feasting. Doing pranks, jokes and fun on the audience are the main roles of the participants. It’s like a feast of fools. There are several types of traditional masks that must not be missed during the parade. Generally, each mask has typical behavior, each mask expresses a particular type.
The Carnival parade, which took place in Prague recently, started on the Square of George of Poděbrady. It continued through the streets of Vinohrady and Žižkov to the City Hall, where the mayors handed over a symbolic key to the city. The parade was headed by a giant seven-meter figurehead of an angel, which was controlled by five strong men. Accompanying stilts walkers and artistes were playing around.
During this journey, the band Trombenik and Blabuburo took care of entertainment. Drumming orchestra Tam Tam Batucada set the pace to acrobatic stilts walkers named Long Vehicle Circus. Mime and circus shows were well performed by Brothers in Trick. The carnival parade was ended with a fire show by Amanitas Fire Theatre.
By Michaela Škvrňáková
Photos: Michaela Škvrňáková
