Croatia Events and Festivals

2/01/2009 - 2/28/2009Carnival

Rijeka's carnival is the biggest in Croatia and was once one of the most important in Europe. Over 100,000 merrymakers witness the main parade, which is made up of around 150 carnival groups from a dozen or so different countries. A flag is raised, to announce the start of festivities that run through a couple of weeks. The mayor hands over the "key" of the city to a master of ceremonies, who presides over the ensuing lunacy. A Carnival King and Queen are elected and an entire day is given over to a children's carnival, attracting around 6,000 kids. On Sunday the Zvoncari appear - men dressed in animal skins and masks who dance to the deafening ringing of bells. On the following Sunday the main parade inches its way through the main streets of the city with the maximum of clamour and show, with at least 10,000 costumed participants grooving to the music in bizarre and colourful dress