By Lauren Nolen, Senior
Tuesday, February 25th is Mardi Gras; the exciting day full of festivities and cultural celebrations all around the world. The French term “Mardi Gras” translates to “Fat Tuesday”, as the holiday is a chance to indulge in specialties before the next day of Ash Wednesday that starts Lent, well-known to those of Christian faith.
Some of the most significant Mardi Gras celebrations occur in major cities such as New Orleans, Louisiana and Quebec City, Canada. Because of the state’s French origins, Louisiana is the only state in America that has Mardi Gras as a legal holiday. The New Orleans celebration of Mardi Gras has occurred for several centuries; today, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is full of parades with floats, large crowds, beads, masks, and delicious treats. In Quebec City, they hold their annual Winter Carnival with the symbolic character “Bonhomme Carnaval”, and the event is long-lasting fun with popular snow festivities.
Germany celebrates what is known as Karneval or Fastnacht Day. German traditions for this day include classic parades and balls like many other celebrations, but they also have their own unique tradition in which women cut off the ties of men!
In Brazil, their Carnival traditions occur over a week long period of celebrations, which includes those of Europe and Africa as well as their own native festivities. Additionally, Denmark holds a very similar celebration to America’s Halloween activities; the children dress in costume and receive candy.
For some local excitement, the three language clubs are holding a combined afternoon of festivities after school on Tuesday, February 25th to celebrate Mardi Gras! In addition, here in Pennsylvania, the Dutch background of the state means that Faschnaut Day is a tradition that many Pennsylvanians like to participate in! So, if you have the time on Tuesday, get over to a local donut shop such as Yum Yum Bake Shop or Dunkin Donuts.
The celebration of Mardi Gras is shown through so many unique cultural traditions that have evolved over centuries of time, and the celebrations are truly meaningful to lots of different countries and cultures around the world. It’s a grand, colorful holiday that everyone looks forward to!📷
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