News Feature
Carnival time is coming in Rijeka
07 December 2007
Venetian and Austrian traditions combine in the annual carnival held in Rijeka, the capital of the Croatian province of Istria.
Held from January 18th to February 3rd, the Rijeka carnival has been celebrated on and off for 100 years but draws on six centuries of tradition and attracts visitors and participants from around Croatia and the world.
Partying and parading, fun and laughter are vital elements of the event, which kicks off with the carnival queen contest and opening ceremony.
This is presided over by the town mayor, who hands over the keys of the city to the master of carnival, allowing the madness to begin.
The main event is the international carnival parade, which involves hundreds of floats and thousands of masks, all competing to be the most original or funniest.
There are also many concerts, exhibitions and performances to keep people on holiday in Croatia happy and many people throw parties at their accommodation in Istria.
The local bell ringers, called Zvoncari, keep alive the tradition of the watchmen protected their land from Turkish invasion many centuries ago.
Rijeka's carnival is a member of the European Federation of Carnival Cities and has been recognised as one of the best in Europe.
Category: Istria, Kvarner and North-West & Events, festivals and celebrity news
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