When you hear the word Carnaval, most people immediately think of boisterous celebrations in Rio or drunken, bead filled (and scandalous) Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans. What may not immediately come to mind, however, is the Carnaval celebration in Nice, along the French Mediterranean coast. However, the Nice Carnaval is actually the original Carnaval celebration in the world and is certainly the biggest winter festival along the French Rivera.
For two weeks in February (leading up to Mardi Gras), Nice comes alive with activity and colorful celebrations of carnaval processions, elegant flower parades, prestige soirées, rock and techno concerts, entertainment and fireworks that attracts approximately 1.2 million people each year to the southern French city.
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Origin of Nice Carnaval
The most widely accepted etymology for the word “Carnaval” is “carne levare” (“away with meat”), which started before the Middle Ages when the people of Nice, before fasting forty days according to the Catholic tradition of Lent, enjoyed rich, plentiful cuisine typical of this bountiful region of France. The earliest mention of Carnaval merrymaking in Nice goes back to 1294, when the Count of Provence Charles d’Anjou spent the “the joyous days of Carnaval” in Nice.
In Medieval France, the people of Nice celebrated life and excess with a sort of “blow out celebration” in the weeks before Catholic tradition forced people to give up many sensual pleasures during Lent. During these few weeks, all excesses were authorized and socially accepted. These few weeks leading up to Lent also became a time for mocking everything and everybody at everyone’s expense—and revelers would hide behind masks, feeling able to mock whatever they chose behind protective disguises until Mardi Gras.
Until the 18th century, masked balls punctuated Carnaval and frenzied farandoles in the streets of what is now Old Nice. Any excesses were soon controlled by the “Abbés des Fous” (Fools’ abbots), entrusted by the clergy with supervising the people’s revelry.
Carnaval festivities have only been suspended a handful of times since the celebratory tradition started sometime in the 11th century—mainly during the major political and military upheavals caused by the French Revolution and the First Napoleonic Empire.
History of “Modern” Carnaval
Until 1872, Carnaval celebrations were mostly restricted to the streets of Nice. Throngs of revelers would take to the streets, donning disguises and throwing plaster confetti, flour and eggs at each other.
In 1873, Andriot Saëtone of Nice took the initiative of founding the “Festival Committee” entrusted with organizing and magnifying the Carnaval of Nice under the municipality’s patronage. Thus, on February 23, 1873, His Majesty King Carnaval I entered his city: the modern Carnival was born.
Carnaval Processions Today
On the first day of Carnaval (February 13 in 2009), the King of Carnaval arrives at Nice’s Place Masséna in great pomp–surrounded by revelers in deafening screams. Spectators will not be able to help being swept up in the contagious collective joy. According to Nice Carnaval tradition, during the king’s ephemeral reign folly will know no bounds; originality and exuberance are expected and celebrated.
On the first Sunday afternoon of festivities, the Carnaval procession is made up of twenty or more floats and as many as 500 ‘big heads’ (paper mache caricatures. The floats and “big heads” make up a colorful parade along with traditional street theatre and music groups from all over the world who come to celebrate the original Carnaval festivities.
On the final day of Carnaval, on Mardi Gras (which translates as “fat Tuesday”) there is a parade of intense and colorful lights through the streets of Nice. The parade features of large fireworks display as well as the colorful parade of lights and over 50,000
Carnaval 2010
In 2010, Carnaval will take place between February 12-28.
Every year, there is theme decided for the costumes and floats for the parade. With a green theme for 2010, this year the Carnaval will pay homage to “The Blue Planet.” With more than a million people expected to take part in festivities, Carnaval in Nice in 2010 is sure not to disappoint.
>>Check out the official Nice Carnaval web site for more information
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