Carnaval de Nice

The Nice Carnival(Carnaval de Nice) in France will be staged from Feb. 16 to Mar. 2, 2008.

Carnival is also known as mardi gras. It means “carne levare,” which means “away with meat.” Carnival has roots in pagan festivals as well as traditions. Later, it has changed and been adapted into the Catholic rituals. According to Catholic tradition “Lent,” people have to fast forty days before Easter. Therefore, to enjoy delicious and plentiful delicacy before Lent, people eat, drink, sing, dance, celebrate, and have fun to their heart’s content. Carnival is celebrated throughout Europe, and the Nice Carnival is a huge parade in France, and is full of parades, music, parties, masquerade balls, confetti, fireworks, marathon race, and so on. Tourists and artists throw confetti at each other and play mischief and pranks all around. It is estimated that 20 tons of confetti are spread every year.

His Majesty King(Sa Majeste Carnaval) will come to Promenade de Anglais and take the key of Nice. His arrival marks the very start of the Nice Carnival. All over Nice will be indulged in merry and cheer. The carnival parade, composed of twenty 12-meter floats and about 150 “big heads,” will cruise along Côte d’Azur. Every float is decorated with 4000-5000 flowers. At night, these floats will be lit and the dazzling parades will brighten up Nice.

On the last day of the carnival, as a tradition there will be the burning ceremony of His Majesty King. After His Majesty King is disappeared through the ashes, fireworks display will top off the carnival.

Come joy the carnival in Nice!