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festive celebration before Lent

Takes place on Fat Tuesday (February/March)

Most famous in New Orleans, USA

originated as Christian tradition

Parades: Large colorful floats roll through the streets, often organized by social clubs called krewes

Throws: parade riders throw beads, coins and trinkets to crowds

Masks and costumes: people wear masks, face paint and costumes

King cake: a sweet cinnamon-filled pastry with purple, green and gold icing - a small baby figurine is hidden inside

Colors: purple (justice), green (faith), gold (power)

Street parties and music: jazz, brass bands and dancing

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What:

It is a big celebration with parades, music, and dancing, where people wear colorful costumes and masks.

Why:

People celebrate Mardi Gras to enjoy food and fun before Lent, a 40-day period of fasting before Easter.

When:

The festival happens in February or early March. The biggest celebrations are on "Fat Tuesday,"

Traditions:

a)Parades: Groups called "Krewes" make big floats and throw small gifts like beads and coins to the crowd.

b)Music: Mardi Gras is famous for jazz music and street performances.

c)Food: Traditional foods include King Cake (a sweet cake with a hidden figure inside),beignets, gumbo etc.

Comparison with Czech Masopust

What:

Masopust is a Czech festival similar to Mardi Gras. It has parades, music, and lots of food.

Why:

Like Mardi Gras, Masopust is a last chance to eat and celebrate before Lent.

When:

It happens in February or early March and ends on Ash Wednesday.

Traditions:

a)Parades: People wear traditional folk costumes and funny masks, often as animals or devils.

b) Music and dancing: Folk music and dancing are an important part of the festival.

c)Food: Popular foods include pork dishes, fried doughnuts (koblihy), and pastries.

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It is a day of feasting before Lent

The last day of indulgence, leading to celebrations with carnivals, eating, drinking, and revelry

Afro-Caribbean customs and Latin American carnival traditions, French origins

The celebration last for several weeks

A special sweet known as King Cake

Smaller parades in New Orleans and other parts of Luisiana leading to the Fat Tuesday

The parades are organized by groups called Krewes with mythological or historical names

A tradition where people on floats throw trinkets like plastic necklaces, cups, and medallions into the crowd, leading to a frenzy of collecting is called Throws

Traditional colors - green, gold and purple

The Zulu parade is organized by New Orleans black community

Masopust is different from Mardi Gras. They are both celebrated before the Lent usually in February. Mardi Gras is influenced by French, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin American carnival traditions. Masopust on the other hand has its roots in Slavic pagan and is influenced by Christian customs. The music you can hear at Mardi Gras would be jazz but at Masopust it would be traditional czech folk

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Mardi Gras = Fat Tuesday

first celebrated in Louisiana by French colonists

Fat Tuesday = the last normal day before the start of Lent (40-day long period leading up to Easter)

spent as the day to make the most of eating, drinking, carnivals and revelry

now these celebrations last for weeks and it starts about a month before the main carnival - this is the only time, when shops are selling very sweet and colorful delicacy called King cake

the big carnival is held in New Orleans

the traditional colors are green, gold and purple

people there drink special beer called Blackened Voodoo Beer

you can also see processions, organized by the Krewes, which each have mythological or historic names, such as Proteus, Endemion, or Bacchus

most astonishing aspect of Zulu: throws = as the floats move slowly through the crowds, tradition has it that those on them should throw all kinds of trinkets into the crowd — plastic necklaces, engraved plastic cups, plastic medallions (a coveted prize) and other souvenirs

Masopust - comparison

also called Fašank, Fašinek, Voračky, Končiny or Ostatky

slavic carnival

time period between Christmas (after three kings 7th of January) and Easter (Ash Wednesday)

last Tuesday before 40-day long fasting period

you can see variety of different mask (horses, bears..), typical is dancing, singing and just having fun

people usually consume plum brandy (slivovice), wine, pig slaughter specialties and donuts

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Mardi gras - Fat Tuesday

Firstly celebrated by French colonists in Louisiana in the 18th century

Celebrated in New Orleans and southern Louisiana

Afro-Caribbean customs

The celebration lasts several weeks

King cake

Blackened Voodoo beer - brewed in local brewery

Traditional colors - green, purple, gold

People participating in the parade throw trinkets (plastic small things) into the crowd of parade-goers

It’s hard not to be caught up in the madness of picking up the trinkets

Many activities in the city (jazz bands, parties, parades)

Masopust

Masopust is shorter parade that Mardi gras.

At Masopust the people go through the city and shout, sing and talk amongst themselves.

The parade includes Czech fairytales characters. (bear, vodník, little red riding hood, etc.)

The parade goes through the city and it’s common to give them money, baked goods and shots of homemade alcohol.

I think that Masopust is more humble and personal. The people in the parade often know the parade-goers.

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What happens:

It's a day of carnival, accomanied by celebratiton full of minor carnivals with parades, revelry, balls and parties.

Why:

The tradition goes back to eighteen century, but throughout the time it developed into a way bigger feast. It is celebrated as a reminder of the upcoming Lent.

When:

On Fat Tuesday.

Customs:

Processions winding through the streets organized by "Krewes" (name of the group). Each of the group is named after mythological or historic figure and is full of people dressed up in a costume or wearing clothes in traditional colors.

Elements of the celebration:

The "throws" - people laying on colorful floats should throw trinkets into the crowd (plastic necklaces, cups or other things). Decorating your car with the mentioned plastic cups they collected.

Style:

It blends lots of different cultures such as French, Afro-Caribbean and Latin American.

Masks:

Traditionally in purple, green and gold colors decorated with long beads caught from the floats of previous parades.

Food:

King cake - sweet and colorful delicacy that you can buy only during the period of feast.

Blackened Voodoo Beer - a beer from local brewery.

Music:

Jazz and local favorite music is played at the parties and parades.

COMPARISON WITH CZECH MASOPUST:

celebrated also with parades, masks, and costumes - but it's typically more rural (and in my opinion here in Czechia it isn't such a big celebration or at least not in small villages)

shares a similar purpose of pre-Lenten feasting

same date as Mardi Gras - that means on Fat Tuesday

we don't have any spacial groups, but we also dress up in masks just with the difference, that we try to portray animals and traditional characters more

a bear (of course someone dressed up as the animal) is the typical element of the local parade (in translation called "leading a bear"), the bear is the "leader" of the whole group and his main task is to dance with every women of the visited houses

unlike Mardi Gras it has roots in Slavic culture combined with ancient rituals and Christians customs

most of the kids dress as some fairy characters, adults usually have masks with humorous represantations of various characters - overall we represent concrete figures rather that abstact ones

on Fat Tuesday a traditional food would be a pig-slaughter, and at the parade people usually offer you donuts, strudels and canapes in front of their houses for the whole crowd

and the best for last is the music which is always a brass band

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1. Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday. It refers to the last day before Lent, a period of fasting in Christianity.

2. It takes place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The festival is most famous in this city.

3. It has French origins. French settlers brought the tradition to Louisiana in the 18th century.

4. It features parades with floats. Large, decorated floats move through the streets with costumed riders.

5. Beads and trinkets are throw. Parade participants throw beads, coins (called doubloon), and small toys to the crowd.

6. Purple, green, and gold are the official colours. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power.

7. Masks are common. Many people wear masks or elaborate costumes to celebrate.

8. King Cake is a traditional food. This sweet pastry has a small plastic baby hidden inside.

9. Krewes organize the parades. These are private clubs.

10. It lasts for weeks. The season begins on January 6 (Epiphany) and ends on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.

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Mardi Gras – What, Why, When?

1. What happens?

Mardi Gras is a grand carnival full of parades, music, and celebrations, especially in New Orleans. People wear colorful costumes and masks, throw beads and confetti, and host big parties.

2. Why is it celebrated?

Mardi Gras means "Fat Tuesday" and is the last day before Lent, a period of fasting. It is a time to indulge in food, drinks, and festivities.

3. When is it celebrated?

The date changes every year depending on Easter, but it always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (usually in February or March).

4. Masks and Costumes

Brightly colored masks and extravagant costumes are common, often featuring harlequins, kings, and queens.

5. Symbolic Colors

The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power).

6. Traditional Food

A popular treat is the "King Cake," a sweet pastry with a small baby figurine hidden inside. Other famous foods include beignets (doughnuts) and jambalaya.

7. Parades and Floats

One of the main attractions is the parade with huge floats, from which participants throw beads, coins, and trinkets into the crowd.

8. Music and Dance

Mardi Gras is heavily influenced by jazz and blues music, which is a signature sound of New Orleans.

9. Cultural Significance

Besides being a religious holiday, it is also a celebration of culture, music, and community spirit, attracting tourists from all over the world.

10. Connections to European Traditions

Mardi Gras has its roots in European carnivals and shares similarities with other pre-Lenten festivals.

Comparison with Czech Masopust

Similarities:
✅ Celebrations before the start of Lent
✅ Parades with masks and costumes
✅ A focus on food and drinks
✅ A connection to traditions and folklore

Differences:
🔸 Masopust parades are more rural and folkloric, while Mardi Gras is more of a city festival.
🔸 Czech masks often depict animals (such as horses or bears), while Mardi Gras costumes are more extravagant and colorful.
🔸 Masopust features pork-based feasts (sausages, jitrnice, tlačenka), whereas Mardi Gras is known for sweet pastries and Creole dishes.
🔸 Masopust is deeply connected to local traditions and historical customs, while Mardi Gras has become a massive global festival.

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Was first celebrated in Louisiana by French colonists in the 18th century

It marks the last day of feasting before the 40-day fasting period of Lent

Modern Mardi Gras is most popular in New Orleans

Parades are organized by Krewes, which have unique mythological or historical names

The streets come alive with jazz bands and carnival music

The traditional Mardi Gras colors are green, gold and purple

Before the big day, elaborate balls and private parties take place

A famous Mardi Gras dessert is the King Cake

Bourbon Street in the French Quarter is known for wild street parties, music and revelry

The celebration serves as a time of festivity and abundance before a season dedicated to penance and spiritual preparation

Czech Masopust

Rooted in ancient Slavic pagan traditions

“Masopust” means “meat fast” indicating the beginning of the Lenten fast

Begins after Epiphany (January 6) and culminates on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday

Observed throughout the Czech Republic with notable celebrations in regions like Hlinecko

Involves masked processions through villages

Features traditional masks representing characters like animales and mythical figures

Accompanied by folk music with dances preformed during processions

Features hearty foods like pork dishes, sausages, doughnuts and traditional pastries

Its a time to enjoy communal festivities, rich food and cultural traditions before the Lenten period of reflection and fasting

Festivities typically occur over a shorter period focusing on the days leading up to Lent

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Mardi Gras literally means “Fat Tuesday”

Lent - 40-day period leading up to Easter

The last “normal” day before Lent is all about eating, drinking and partying

“King Cake” - a sweet and colourful cake, that can only be found during this holiday season

“Krewes” - groups organizating the processions, they each have mythological or historic names

The big carnival is held in New Orleans

Traditional colors are green, gold and purple

“Throws” - throwing trinkets/souvenirs into a crowd

“Blackened Voodoo Beer” - special beer from New Orleans

life music/concerts

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The name Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," which refers to the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent in the Christian calendar. Lent is a time of fasting and sacrifice for many Christians, so Mardi Gras represents a final day of feasting and celebration before the more somber period begins.

The most famous Mardi Gras celebrations take place in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here, colorful parades, elaborate costumes, and festive parties attract thousands of tourists each year.

The New Orleans Mardi Gras is known for its vibrant atmosphere, where jazz music fills the streets, and people enjoy traditional foods such as King Cake. This special cake is often decorated with purple, green, and gold, the traditional colors of Mardi Gras, symbolizing justice.

MARDI GRAS X CZECH FAŠANK

If we compare Mardi Gras and Fašank we can find many similarities but also differences. For example :

Similarities

both festivals involve dressing up in costumes and wearing masks

both festivals feature parades and other public celebrations

both festivals are a time for people to eat, drink and be merry

Differences

M.G. is much larger than Madopust

M.G. is known for elaborate floats and costumes, while Masopust is more focused on traditional folk costumes

In conclusion, Mardi Gras is a rich cultural tradition that brings people together to celebrate before the solemn season of Lent. It is marked by lively parades, delicious food, and the spirit of community.