Learn about Shrovetide customs in Slovenia

Would you like to know how Slovenians summon the arrival of spring? Learn about some customs and dishes that are typical of Shrovetide.

What is Shrovetide?

Shrovetide represents a bridge between winter and spring. It was once believed that it lasted from the Epiphany to Shrove Tuesday. The Shrovetide date changes annually depending on the date of Easter. Although it is commonly connected to the arrival of spring, its name (in Slovenian: pust) reveals another meaning altogether – ‘pust’ and the international name ‘carnival’ both mean ‘leave meat’. The main day during Shrovetide is Shrove Tuesday, and the Shrovetide celebrations end on Ash Wednesday, which marks the 40-day Lent period of fasting before Easter. People wear different masks for Shrovetide – from traditional ones to masks that reflect modern social life. Shrovetide is connected to various traditions, Shrovetide dances, carnival parades, basically fun and tables laden with delicious Shrovetide dishes.

Dance with Kurenti

Clownish carnival events

The main Shrovetide events take place between Fat Thursday and Ash Wednesday. Many interesting Shrovetide customs can be observed at that time. In some places, Shrovetide characters seize power from the local authorities. In other places, Shrovetide masked figures visit the locals and drive away evil spirits by bringing joy and laughter. Some areas keep alive the tradition of hauling a freshly cut log into the village if no wedding was held between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday. The Shrovetide events culminate in many Shrovetide processions and dances around Slovenia, while all the festivities end on Ash Wednesday when the carnival figure is found guilty and buried. Experience some interesting varieties of these customs.

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Cerknica

On Fat Thursday, the "sawing of the hag" takes place in Cerknica and the local authority is taken over by Shrovetide masked figures known as Butalci.

Door-to-door rounds of Kurenti

In the vicinity of Ptuj, Kurenti visit the locals during Shrovetide, bringing them luck and dispelling evil spirits. The door-to-door rounds of Kurenti have been entered on UNESCO’s List of Intangible...

Borovo gostüvanje

A special variety of log-hauling is borovo gostüvanje, a symbolic pine wedding, which you can experience in the areas of Ravensko and Goričko.

Shrovetide in Slovenia on Google Arts&Culture

Learn about the most recognisable Slovenian Shrovetide character, who, despite his fearful appearance, has a kind and good heart and who has also found his place on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can also find out more about other Shrovetide figures who bring spring to the land.

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A scary but friendly creature

One cannot imagine that behind this intimidating creature, wearing his sheep-skin suit and belt of cowbells, horns on his head and ježevka (a wooden bat covered with real hedgehog skin) in his hand, there...

Let’s summon the arrival of spring together!

Apart from the Kurent, Slovenia has many other traditional Shrovetide figures and interesting Shrovetide customs that are worth experiencing. Walk through the carnival period up until Ash Wednesday via...

When the aroma of Shrovetide specialities reaches you from the kitchen

Usually, Shrovetide menus include heavy, greasy, and fried dishes. Pork dishes play a central role – pork soup, ričet (barley mush hotpot) with pork ribs, pork sausages, and a pork roast. Among fried dishes, fried leavened dough is predominant, as it is used to make krofi, bobi, flancati, miške, and other local delicacies.

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Try a krofi and miške recipe

To truly experience Shrovetide in Slovenia, may the aroma of krofi (doughnuts) and miške (fried doughnut balls) come from your kitchen, too. Try these recipes for these two popular fried Shrovetide dishes.

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The most typical carnival characters in Slovenia

Although the streets are teeming with more or less original masks depicting various aspects of life, some Shrovetide masks are deeply rooted in the consciousness of the inhabitants and their Shrovetide traditions. Meet some of the most recognisable Shrovetide masks and carnival celebrations.

Kurentovanje

The biggest Slovenian carnival is Kurentovanje in Ptuj, where a typical carnival character – the Kurent – plays the main role. It is recognisable by the typical attire – kurentija consisting of a hat, a sheepskin suit, green or red knee-high gaiters, bells attached to a chain around the belt, and a ježevka (a thick stick with hedgehog spines). In addition to the Kurents, Kurentovanje features other traditional carnival characters such as ploughmen, spearmen, whip crackers, log haulers, and more. Photo: Stanko Kozel

Kurentovanje

Laufarji of Cerkno

If you visit Cerkno during Shrovetide, you will definitely run into laufarji (runners). The group of Cerkno laufarji is composed of 25 characters with various wooden masks called larfe. They symbolise the features and weaknesses of particular groups of people. The central character is called Pust, who wears moss, has horns, and carries a small spruce tree in his hands. In addition to Pust, there are also other characters dressed in various natural materials, such as ivy, hay, and animal skins.

Škoromati

Škoromati are the oldest Shrovetide masks in Slovenia, especially typical of the Brkini area. Colourful hats made of paper flowers are the typical symbol of the Škoromati with bells. One of the central characters is also the Kleščar or Škopit, who chases after women, girls, and children with pincers.

The carnival costumes of Drežnica

In Drežnica and Drežniške Ravne near Kobarid, the carnival costumes of Drežnica summon the arrival of spring. They are divided into “the Ugly Ones” chasing young people to throw ashes on them, and “the Beautiful Ones”, who visit homes, dance, and gather gifts.

Shrovetide in Cerknica

The Carnival of Cerknica is undoubtedly one of the most distinctive carnivals in Slovenia. At that time, the streets of Cerknica are taken over by Ursula the Witch, Jezerko the Lake Man, the Giant Pike Fish, Butalci and other Shrovetide masks, which are always true eye-catchers for young and old.

Joy upon the arrival of spring

Shrovetide masks also drive away evil spirits and summon the arrival of spring. Observe the awakening of nature in spring and celebrate these spring festivals with us.

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Learn about Shrovetide customs in Slovenia