CARNIVAL
Carnival, the merrymaking and festivity that takes place in many Roman Catholic countries in the last days and hours before the Lenten season. The derivation of the word is uncertain, though it possibly can be traced to the medieval Latin carnem levare or carnelevarium,
which means to take away or remove meat. This coincides with the fact
that Carnival is the final festivity before the commencement of the austere 40 days of Lent, during which Roman Catholics in earlier times fasted, abstained from eating meat, and followed other ascetic practices. The historical origin of Carnival is also obscure. It possibly has its roots in a primitive festival
honouring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature,
though it is also possible that the beginnings of Carnival in Italy may
be linked to the pagan Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome.
The first day of Carnival varies with both national and local
traditions. In France the celebration is restricted to Shrove Tuesday (the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday) and to mi-carème (the Thursday of the third week of Lent). More generally, the commencement date is Quinquagesima Sunday (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday), and the termination is Shrove Tuesday. In some parts of Spain, Ash Wednesday also is included in the Carnival celebrations.
A few destinations are practically synonymous with Carnival festivals — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leads the list with celebrations dating back to the 1700s.
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| BRAZIL |
The wild times at Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) in New Orleans, Louisiana, are the stuff of legends (and hangovers).
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| NEW ORLEANS |
Venice, Italy, draws huge crowds annually with its fancy balls,
masked celebrants and parade boats plying the canals.
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| VENICE |
In Spain you can travel to the Canary Islands or Cádiz, among others, to find colorful Carnival parades and festivals.
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| CÁDIZ |
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| THE CANARY ISLANDS |
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carnival-pre-Lent-festival
https://abc17news.com/entertainment/2020/02/25/carnival-festivals-around-the-world-join-the-parades-and-parties-in-2020/
