Carnival kicks off as pandemic restrictions ease
Carnival is starting all over the world. In some places where the COVID situation seems to be easing, vaccinated revelers are able to enjoy carefree celebrations.
Resurrection of Pepino
Carnival queen Dayana Molina embraced a man dressed as the clown Pepino to open the carnival season in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, last week. Pepino's theatrical return from the dead inaugurates the celebrations each year.
Flower parade in Nice
The Nice carnival is one of the biggest and most prestigious in the world. This year, it's taking place for the 137th time, under the motto "King of the Animals." The annual flower parade on the Promenade des Anglais is a highlight of the carnival season.
Not just medical masks
Although the organizers of the Venice carnival had to cancel some attractions, such as the traditional "flight of the angel" across St. Mark's Square, people are happy to be able to celebrate at least a little in the third year of the pandemic. "I came here because I missed the carnival so much," said Barbara del Prato from Parma. Around 50,000 people are expected in Venice for the festivities.
Bell ringers of Permani
Dressed in the traditional costume of bell ringers, or "mucicevi zvoncari," these young men are taking part in the carnival procession in the village of Permani near the city of Rijeka in Croatia. This local tradition was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Humanity in 2009.
Traditional Slavic carnival in Hamry
The carnival in the Hlinecko region of the Czech Republic is also part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, something that should be a source of pride to these young gentlemen, who have obviously put a lot of time into their costumes.
A 'triumvirate' at the vaccination center
The traditional carnival "triumvirate" in Cologne, Germany, is probably not so happy: On Saturday, the festival committee said this year's Rose Monday procession would take place only in a stadium. In addition, the city area was declared a restricted zone: Anyone wanting to take part in celebrations must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have recovered, and have a negative test result.
Longest carnival in the world
All the pandemic worries seem to be danced away by this candombe dancer taking part in the Llamadas parade in Montevideo. Celebrations in Uruguay's capital can last up to 40 days, making the carnival in the South American country the longest in the world. This tradition is also part of UNESCO's Intangible Heritage of Humanity list.