Bohemian Carnevale Prague
photo: (carnevale.cz)
The Bohemian Carnevale is a festival which is annually organised in Prague at the turn of February and March. It represents the culmination of the carnival or Mardi Gras season. This type of festival is considered as European cultural heritage and takes place in various European cities. The main objective of the Bohemian Carnevale is to revive the spirit of traditional medieval carnivals which were celebrated both in the streets and in noble palaces.
The carnival celebration has had a very long tradition in the Czech lands. From time immemorial, its main attraction was the masquerade parade. However, the
Bohemian Carnevale Festival Prague is very different and, to a certain degree, it may be compared to the carnival in Venice… although the one in Prague is more closely connected with the historically pompous allegoric festivals held in the Czech lands.
Every year, the carnival takes place in various places throughout central Prague. It occupies open public spaces, palaces, museums, galleries and theatres. You can encounter people in multi-coloured carnival costumes and masks everywhere.
The festival programme is very rich. Visitors can enjoy the colourful show of the allegoric masquerade parade from the Old Town City Hall through the downtown area, a variety of historic carnival scenic shows, professional and amateur clown and acrobat performances, magic shows, music and dancing creations, etc. A contest for the most beautiful mask takes place every year. There are lots of places to taste wines of special types and restaurants offer special carnival menus.
Enthusiasts who would like to play a more active role in the festival activities can lease an original costume. The festival usually lasts until Ash Wednesday, a symbol of the Lent season.
In 2012, the Bohemian Carnevale Festival Prague will be held from 10-21 February. More detailed information about the festival and the programme can be found
here.