11X THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT CARNIVAL
In January, I take the plastic crates down from the attic and dive into the wonderful world of carnival. And it is wonderful, because the editorial team understands absolutely NOTHING about it. May always sweetly asks what my plans are for the weekend. And while she is normally sisterly enthusiastic about my dinners and drinks, this month she doesn't quite feel it.
I celebrate carnival. And the place where I celebrate it is quite niche, you know. In Bergen op Zoom, it is quite a traditional affair, by the way, they call it ‘vastenavend’. But people look a bit strange when I tell them that we stitch flowers onto hats, wrap ourselves in grandmother's dresses, and finish it off with a good old-school curtain over the shoulders. I am a fan of traditional carnival, where young and old take to the streets and brass bands swing from pub to pub (or play hoempapa). I already told you why you should just try it once you must try, but now I will reveal what you didn't know and want to know.
First of all: it starts much earlier than you think
Four days, right? Ha, they let you believe that. In most places, you can already hit the streets a week before the actual carnival. For ‘us’, it's even a month, but hardly anyone above the rivers knows that. So you didn't hear it from me, okay?
Secondly: the weekend lasts a week
But really. If you collapse on the couch after a screamingly busy week on Friday night you just want nothing more., During carnival month, you still go out for a little while, just a little (read: until the lights in that little café come on). You do the same on Saturday, just like on Sunday, by the way. And then suddenly on Monday morning, it feels like your weekend lasted a week. We won't mention that your energy level feels that way too.
niet bij.
Thirdly: it makes the step to print on print easier
Still getting used to polka dots with stripes AND the flower? During carnival times, your inner Gucci comes out. You just lay that finesse in the party chaos in advance, to then stylishly pull a printer-friendly combo onto your (no longer so slim) body.
Still getting used to polka dots with stripes AND the flower? During carnival times, your inner Gucci comes out.
Fourthly: it is the perfect remedy for the dark days
Theo sighed and moaned that he finds January and February absolutely nothing. Because too dark, too harsh, too cold; too everything in the wrong sense of just about. You don't have to worry about that, because you look forward to carnival like spring. It gives just that little push when the days are too short between Christmas and the sun.
Fifthly: it is not a free pass
“Oh, but everyone cheats during carnival, right?” Uhm, no. And if you know someone who does, it was only a matter of time before he or she started cheating. So that's already solved before that sexy spring begins.
Sixthly: carnival is not Catholic
Yes, the Catholics have somewhat appropriated it, but originally carnival is not a Catholic holiday. The Catholics even tried to ban it. It didn't work, so they probably chose to make the best of it. Carnival is a pagan festival, created to chase away evil spirits on dark days.
Seventhly: it is different everywhere
In Breda, you hop around with a tooting horn on a jet ski, in Bergen op Zoom you dance to the sound of a little trumpet, and in Limburg, you find the jaw-dropping creations. Don't lump carnival celebrators together, because every village and city has its own traditions and customs. Not feeling it in Tilburg? Then just go to the more traditional Den Bosch once.
Eighthly: the hospitality industry is happy with you
Clear case.
Ninthly: it is good for the creative spirit
In daily life, I can't even sew a button on a pair of pants, but during carnival, I string tiny beads on my beret and scour vintage shops for finds. You become incredibly original and creative, just bizarre.
Tenthly: yes, there is consumption
If you give a serious carnival celebrator a poke in the belly after four days, he or she starts giggling spontaneously (that's the overworked liver). Okay, okay, it's true that the party comes with an alcoholic treat. But honestly: how does your party night go? Probably something with a drink and a dance. Only this time for four days long, nice, right?
Eleventhly: the most important thing: you celebrate it together
With your friends from the past, your loves of the present, family, and any random passerby. You celebrate carnival together, it sisterhoods and brotherhoods, and you are a little less focused on yourself. And that is the most beautiful part. So May, what do you think?
Source image: Aaron Paul
