Pancake week in the countries of the world

Everyone knows the carnival - originally, an analog of the traditional Slavic Carnival. Carnival - carne vale - translated from Latin means"Farewell, meat." Carnival is held in Catholic countries before the Great Lent. Carnival is accompanied by folk festivals, colorful theatrical processions, disguises.

The roots of carnival, as well as Carnival, go to pagan, pre-Christian times. The earliest mention of carnivals is attributed to the IX-X centuries. It is believed that the first carnivals were held in Italy, later this tradition was supported in France,Germany. At first the carnival consisted of two parts: church rituals and folk festivals. And only then, in the XVIII and XIX centuries. Carnival stood out in an independent form of mass entertainment.

The main thing in the carnival is a festive procession throughthe main streets of the city, showing abundance. The central figure in the carnival is a jester, who sets the tone and procession, and the presentation, which then unfolds in the central square of the city. The most famous carnival in the world is held in Brazil, in Rio de Janeiro. Every year tourists from all over the world come to this carnival.

One of the varieties of carnival is Fat Tuesday, which is celebrated in the Catholic world on the eve of the Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Fat Tuesday in English-speaking countries called "Pancake Day" (Pancake Day). The tradition of baking pancakes this day brings together this holiday with our Slavic Carnival. AT USA Fat Tuesday is called "Fat Tuesday". City New Orleans in the United States became famous throughout the world for his particularly lush and long traditions of celebrating this day.

In France and French-speaking countries Fat Tuesday is called Mardi Gras (Mardi Gras).

In the US, Mardi Gras is a costumePresentation on the occasion of the meeting of spring in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Later, the tradition of the Mardi Gras in New Orleans was joined by a procession of brightly decorated horse drawn carts and the election of the "king" and "queen" of the festival. There is even a legend explaining the emergence of this tradition. According to this legend, the brother of the heir to the Russian throne, Alexey Alexandrovich Romanov, was in love with American actress Lydia Thompson and therefore followed her to New Orleans. He arrived there just before the holiday, so the organizers decided to urgently prepare a special platform with the inscription "Rex" (king), having learned about the visit of the royal person.

In addition to Fat Tuesday, some Catholic countries celebrate Fat Thursday (for example, in Poland). On the Day of Fat Thursday it is customary to eat donuts with different fillings, the most popular are donuts with pink jam and sugar icing. On Fat Thursday, the days of balls and parties begin, which are called The Leftovers. All the festivities come to an end with the onset Ash Medium.

By the way, Ash Wednesday in the Latin riteThe Catholic Church, the day of the beginning of Lent. It is celebrated 45 calendar days before Easter. On this day a strict fast is prescribed. In Orthodoxy corresponds to a pure Monday.