Bohemian Carnevale will take the streets, palaces and restaurants of Prague by storm. Many public squares as well as lesser known places will be filled by masked Praguers. Starting on Saturday 6th February, revelry will roll for all of a whole ten days.
Most Czechs would happily confirm that Mardi Gras, locally called Masopust, has a long tradition in the Czech Republic with the masked parade being its long established main attraction. The Festival Bohemian Carnevale is nevertheless a different event and, to a certain degree, comparable to the carnival in Venice.
Historical roots
In spite of some obvious flirtations with famous Venice carnivals, it should be said that to a large degree the Prague event builds on the tradition of historical, spectacular celebrations and allegorical festivities held in Bohemia. With their origin being dated back to the medieval times, the celebrations continued to be held regularly till the recent past. The Bohemian Carnival Project revives this wonderful phenomenon that celebrates joie de vivre and community spirit.
In palaces and streets
The carnival spirit will be manifested at many locations in the centre of Prague. Every year the celebrations spills out of many open areas, palaces, museums, galleries, theatres as well as schools, workshops, restaurants and shops.
Ball, parade and Bengal firework
The programme is rich and sumptuous indeed. Praguers and visitors to Prague can look forward to the royal baroque ball in masks, a triumphal allegorical parade that finishes on Old Town Square or check out the jaw dropping grand Bengal Firework display. Children will also be able to come into their own; it is especially for them that the organisers prepared so many interesting theatre performances.
Novelty in Golden Lane
This year has one innovation in store. The Information centre and the shop Carnevale Praha in Golden Lane will offer visitors up-date information about the events as well as the option to purchase carnival masks made in the atelier of Franzis Wussin, who is the official mask supplier for the Carnival. If you feel like being someone else just for a while, you can also hire a mask of your choice. It is certainly worth it. Fantasy knows no limits.
Detail information
Info Centre: Colloredo-Mansfeld Palace, Karlova 2, Prague 1, info line: +420 739 477 063, info@carnevale.cz
Prague Carnevale Museum Shop: Prague Castle, Golden Lane n. 27, phone n.: +420 224 373 356, info@wussin.cz, http://www.wussin.cz
Source: www.praha.eu
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