Carnival Day

Carnival is aWestern Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent.The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide. Carnival typically involves a public celebration and parade combining some elements of a circus, masks, and a public street party. People wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations. Excessive consumption of alcohol, meat, and other foods proscribed during Lent is extremely common.The term Carnival is traditionally used in areas with a large Catholic presence;In historically Lutheran countries, the celebration is known as Fastelavn,and in areas with a high concentration of Anglicans and Methodist, pre-Lenten celebrations, along with penitential observances, occur on Shrove Tuesday.

In Italy
The most famous Carnivals of Italy are held in Venice, Viareggio, and Ivrea. The Carnival in Venice was first recorded in 1268. Its subversive nature is reflected in Italy's many laws over the centuries attempting to restrict celebrations and the wearing of masks.The month-long Carnival of Viareggio is characterized mainly by its parade of floats and masks caricaturing popular figures. In 2001, the town built a new "Carnival citadel" dedicated to Carnival preparations and entertainment.
The Carnival of Ivrea is famous for its "Battle of the Oranges" fought with fruit between the people on foot and the troops of the tyrant on carts, to remember the wars of the Middle Ages.


In France
Some major Carnivals of mainland France are the Nice Carnival, the Dunkirk Carnival and the Limoux Carnival. The Nice Carnival was held as far back as 1294, and annually attracts over a million visitors during the two weeks preceding Lent.
Since 1604, a characteristic masked Carnival is celebrated in Limoux.
The Dunkirk Carnival is among the greatest and most exuberant carnivals celebrated in Europe.











In England

In Emgland, the season immediately before Lent was called Shrovetide. A time for confessing sins, it had fewer festivities than the Continental Carnivals. Today, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated as Pancake Day, but little else of the Lent-related Shrovetide survived the 16th-century English Reformation. Possibly the only Shrovetide Carnival in the United Kingdom is celebrated in Cowes and East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Pancake Day

Shrove Tuesday (also known in Commonwealth countries as Pancake Tuesday or Pancake day) is the day in February or March immediately preceding Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), which is celebrated in some countries by consuming pancakes. In others, especially those where it is called Mardi Gras or some translation thereof, this is a carnival day, and also the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.

Traditions
Pancakes are associated with the day preceding Lent because they were a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar, before the fasting season of the 40 days of Lent. The liturgical fasting emphasized eating plainer food and refraining from food that would give pleasure: in many cultures, this means no meat, dairy products, or eggs.






In Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland the day is also known as "Pancake Day" as it is a common custom to eat pancakes as a meal.