Yes, I am finally getting around to writing the entry on my first Karneval! (Or “Carnival” for those English speakers who were still maybe trying to figure out exactly what I meant.)
Here are some interesting historical facts on the festivities specific to Rijeka, Croatia: RIJEKA CARNIVAL.
If you follow that link, there is a menu on the right side of the screen with all kinds of historical facts on the carnival in Rijeka.
Most of the time when people think of Carnival, they automatically think of the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. While that may be the world’s largest Carnival celebration, the one in Rijeka has grown to be the biggest, after Rio and Venice. Carnival traditionally occurs right before the start of Lent in the Catholic calendar. (In the USA, we have Mardi Gras, which is essentially the same thing as Carnival.) Basically, it’s a giant festival right before the somber period of Lent, and it involves parades, costumes, street parties, and lots of revelry!
Even though I had experienced the tradition of MAŠKARE these past two years (the weekly costume parties leading up to Karneval), I had not been in Croatia for the actual Karneval celebration before this year.