Carnival in the Netherlands

Carnival in the Netherlands is a significant event, especially in the southern and eastern regions. This vibrant festival celebrates the subversion of social norms and is influenced by ancient pagan spring rituals and Catholic traditions leading up to Ash Wednesday and Lent. Officially, Carnival runs for three days, but the festivities often start on Thursday and extend to six days.

Originally, Carnival symbolized driving away winter spirits and welcoming spring, marking the transition from darkness to light. Today, it remains a time to overturn social norms. The celebrations include parades, balls, and various festivities, with numerous local businesses closing and streets filled with revelers.

The word "Carnival" derives from the Latin "Carne Levare" meaning "farewell to the flesh" highlighting the tradition of indulging before the fasting period of Lent. The festival blends various pre-Christian and Christian traditions, including ancient Germanic and Roman spring celebrations. Through the Middle Ages, Carnival sometimes clashed with or was embraced by the Christian Church.

One of the highlights of Carnival is the costumes and masks, which symbolize social role reversal, allowing people to act out of character without fear of judgment. A key moment is the symbolic handing over of the city's key to the Prince of Carnival, marking a temporary transfer of power. Carnival associations, which have existed since the 19th century, organize the events, each with its own prince and council of eleven.

Parades are a major attraction, featuring floats, foot groups, and marching bands. The number eleven is central to Carnival, symbolizing imperfection and folly. The celebrations often include cabaret performances that satirize local and political figures.

There are two main types of Carnival in the Netherlands: Rhenish and Burgundian. The Rhenish version, celebrated in Limburg and parts of North Brabant, has strong German influences and features elaborate costumes, majorettes, and military-themed parodies. The Burgundian version, popular in North Brabant, Gelderland, and parts of Utrecht and Overijssel, focuses more on indoor parties with simpler costumes, like blue smocks and red bandanas.

Local traditions vary, with some towns even changing their names during Carnival and adopting specific colors and mascots. The festival also features traditional music, dancing, and special greetings like "Alaaf." While Carnival has deep historical and religious roots, today's celebrations are primarily secular, highlighting community, creativity, and a bit of social critique.