English

Carnival (see other spellings and names) is a Catholic festive season that occurs before the Catholic season of Lent.
The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide
(or Pre-Lent). Carnival typically involves a public celebration and/or parade combining some elements of a circus,
masks and public street party. People wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations, allowing them to lose
their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity. Excessive consumption of alcohol,
meat, and other foods proscribed during Lent is extremely common. Other common features of carnival include mock
battles such as food fights; social satire and mockery of authorities; the grotesque body displaying exaggerated
features especially large noses, bellies, mouths, and phalli or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and
degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.
The term Carnival is traditionally used in areas with a large Catholic presence. However, the Philippines, a
predominantly Roman Catholic country, does not celebrate Carnival anymore since the dissolution of the Manila
Carnival after 1939, the last carnival in the country. In historically Lutheran countries, the celebration is known as
Fastelavn, and in areas with a high concentration of Anglicans and Methodists, pre-Lenten celebrations, along with
penitential observances, occur on Shrove Tuesday. In Eastern Orthodox nations, Maslenitsa is celebrated during the
last week before Great Lent. In German-speaking Europe and the Netherlands, the Carnival season traditionally opens
on 11/11 (often at 11:11 a.m.). This dates back to celebrations before the Advent season or with harvest celebrations of
St. Martin's Day.
Rio de Janeiro's carnival is considered the world's largest, hosting approximately two million participants per day. In
2004, Rio's carnival attracted a record 400,000 foreign visitors.
Als Karneval, Fastnacht, Fasnacht, Fasnet, Fasching, Fastabend, Fastelovend, Fasteleer oder fnfte Jahreszeit bezeichnet man die
Bruche, mit denen die Zeit vor der sechswchigen Fastenzeit ausgelassen gefeiert wird. Die Fastenzeit beginnt mit dem
Aschermittwoch, und sie dient im Christentum der Vorbereitung auf das Osterfest.

Deutsch
Der Karneval wird sehr unterschiedlich zelebriert: Karnevalsumzge, Masken, Musik und das Verkleiden spielen eine
Rolle. Eine ganz eigenstndige Vitalitt entwickelte der Karneval in Lateinamerika, etwa beim Karneval von Oruro
oder dem Karneval in Rio. Bekannt sind auch der Karneval in Venedig, in Kanada der Karneval von Qubec, der
Mittfasten-Karneval am Sonntag Laetare in Stavelot und anderen Orten der belgischen Ostkantone sowie in Spanien
der Karneval von Santa Cruz de Tenerife und der Karneval in Cdiz. Auch in den Sdstaaten der USA gibt es eine
ausgeprgte Karnevalstradition. Man verwendet etwa in New Orleans die franzsische Bezeichnung Mardi Gras
(Fetter Dienstag, Fastnachtsdienstag). Der Karneval in Namibia findet an verschiedenen Orten des Landes statt und
hat keinen zeitlichen Bezug zur Fastenzeit mehr. Im deutschen Sprachraum sind Hochburgen das Rheinland und die
schwbisch-alemannische Fastnacht.

Carnival

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40 :Kirchenjahr:Fastenzeit
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