CARNAVAL de Nice - Nice, France
The earliest mention of the Carnaval de Nice goes back to 1294 when the Count de Provence spent his pre-Lenten holiday in Nice. Until the 18th Century carnaval involved masquerade balls and frenzied farandoles - provincial square dances - in the streets of Old Nice. Excesses were controlled by the Abbés des Fous (Fool’s Abbotts), entrusted by the clergy with supervising the peoples revelry.
The upheaval of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon caused carnaval festivities to be suspended until 1830 when the fist cortege, or procession, was organized for visiting dignitaries. Today, the parades of the Carnaval de Nice are among the most famous in the world.
On the Sunday before the beginning of Lent, his Majesty King Carnaval arrives in a grand parade. Joining the procession are hand crafted grosses têtes (literally - fatheads), enormous puppet-like personages. And then there is the Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of the Flowers). Elaborate floats covered in Côte d’Azur flowers carry spectacularly costumed Flower Queens who throw fresh flowers to the crowd.
The last evening of carnaval bring the Parade of Lights with illuminated floats, thousands of lights and the Burning of King Carnaval. A parade of torch bearers in friars robes leads the float into the water of the Port de Nice and sets fire to the royal puppet. King Carnaval explodes in display of fireworks signaling the end of the revelry.RESOURCES
Official website of the Carnaval de Nice
AYS enriches the learning and well-being of children in a safe, caring and fun environment outside of the school day. To learn more about AYS please visit www.ayskids.org.
AYS, Inc.
4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46205
(317) 283-3817