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Carnival Festivities in Bratislava ❤️‍🔥

Carnival, called Fašiangy in Slovakia, may be primarily associated with rural traditions, but in towns and cities it has taken on a unique character all of its own, with elaborate carnival balls and festive dances. Fašiangy is a is a cherished tradition, where locals don masks and indulge in tasty treats such as doughnuts, angel wings or carvery specialities. In the past, this season in towns was the time for crafts guilds to showcase their skills through processions, competitions, and games, as well as to recruit new apprentices.

Fašiangy is originally based on ancient celebrations, dating back to Roman times, when they were called Saturnalia, Lupercalia, Dionysia, Bacchanalia, Mamuralia or Liberalia. Various celebrations and ceremonies were associated with the gods Bacchus, the patron of the vine and feasting, and Saturn, the god of agriculture and harvest.

The roots of Fašiangy go also back to Slavic pagan ancestors, where they were associated with banishing winter, death and bringing in spring. In the period of the Great Moravian Empire, the season was known as the beginning of Lent (or mjasopust) in the territories of Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Mardi Gras is well-known for its form of folk entertainments, games, or carnivals, with animal masks holding special importance. Myths tell us that scary masks were to protect people from malevolent forces and ensure a good harvest year and livestock fertility. Our ancestors believed that the masks would scare away demons and evil spirits. The most common mask was a bovine mask, though goat, horse or bear motifs were also popular. Later, the masks allegedly parodied members of individual classes and social statuses.

In the Middle Ages, a name derived from the German Fastenschank, Faschang, came into a common use. This term referred to the last tapping of spirits before Lent, which followed Fašiangy and in the Christian tradition lasts 40 days. During Lent, no entertainments were usually held as a sign of the solemn nature of this period.

As a result, the period of revelry culminates with the symbolic burial of the bass. As a parody of a genuine funeral, on Tuesday, the eve of Ash Wednesday this musical instrument is being buried in the ground. It signifies the prohibition of any entertainment during the following Great Lent.