Traditional carnival festivals call spring to come

In February, witches, Kurents, runners and other traditional Slovenian masks, visit many Slovenian towns. This part of the year, when nature awakes from its winter sleep has long been the time of effervescence and festivities. Visit the lively carnival festivals around Slovenia, treat yourself to delicious doughnuts, and together with numerous other visitors, chase away winter and call for a warm spring to come! Between 2 and 17 February, Ptuj is inviting you to visit the Kurentovanje, largest cultural and ethnographic carnival in the country. The carnival festival in Cerknica takes place between 12 and 18 February, while you are expected in Cerkno on 15 February.

The largest cultural and ethnographic carnival in the country has been organised in the oldest Slovenian town of Ptuj for over 50 years. Each year, over 120,000 visitors and 10,000 masks visit it from more than ten countries. Ptuj is included in the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC); therefore, the carnival parade is joined by many other Member States. This year’s 55th Kurentovanje will unfold between 2 and 17 February. The event begins with the first jump of a Kurent which is the most popular and common Slovenian mask. This is the first time Kurents put on their bells with which they dance around fires and begin carrying out their mission – to chase away winter and evil in exchange for spring, luck and a rich harvest. The event is not merely a carnival, but also a tribute to Slovenian heritage. Did you know that, according to an old belief, the Kurent from Ptuj was a demon chasing away winter and inviting spring to come to the country? During the carnival, you may see as many as 2,000 of them! The programme of the 55th Kurentovanje may be seen here.

The carnival festival in Cerknica takes place between 12 and 18 February. The rule is then assumed by special residents called Butalci who turn everything upside down. A group of Butale masks were created based on a humoristic story about Butalci written by the Slovenian writer Fran Milčinski. Through topical and critical content encompassing state and global dimensions, members of the Butale parliament attempt each year to relax even the most restrained visitors with their jokes and adventures. Visit the carnival festival on Shrove Sunday and say hello to the mythological inhabitants of Cerknica Lake and the karst underworld, and to the witches from Slivnica. Fly on brooms with the youngest figure Liza and the oldest witch grandmother Ursula. The burial of the Shrovetide Man is the oldest carnival event in Cerknica. See the Shrovetide Man off and let Cerknica regain its rule.

The jocular carnival in Cerkno begins soon after New Year`s Day, when Laufarji (a group of 25 male masks) wake up. They are especially interesting because of the wooden masks made of Slovenian lime wood on their heads. You may see Laufarji at close range on Shrove Sunday on 15 February.

No merry carnival festivities in Slovenia go by without doughnuts. Enjoy taking a bite of these doughnuts and ensure a sweet year for yourself!

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