Bon Mardi Gras!
You probably know that Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting with no meat during the Lenten season.
It is said that the word “Carnival” comes from “carne levare” or “away with meat”. Mardi Gras Carnival celebrations begin on or after Epiphany or “King’s Day” and culminate on the day before Ash Wednesday. This period of time was also a time for mocking everything and everybody at everyone’s expense, behind masks, protected by disguises.
In the U.S. we tend to think of New Orleans or Brazil for Carnival celebrations. But the Carnaval de Nice is one of the largest in Europe and people from all over the world flock there to celebrate Mardi Gras. And it’s no wonder – Today’s temperature in Nice, France is 59 degrees and tomorrow it’ll be 62! Don’t you wish you were there? I do!
Each year the organizers choose a theme – especially for the main attraction which is the “King’s” float. This year’s theme for the Carnaval de Nice is “Roi de la Musique”.
Floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions parade down the Promenade des Anglais, and extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …
Bonne Fête! et Amusez-vous bien!
Previous Carnaval de Nice themes over the years…
1990 – Roi du Rire
1991 – Roi des Fous – Cancellation (Gulf war)
1992 – Roi des Rois
1993 – Roi de l’Europe
1994 – Roi des Arts
1995 – Roi du Cinéma
1996 – Roi de la Musique
1997 – Roi des Sports
1998 – Roi du Cirque
1999 – Roi du XXe siècle
2000 – Roi des Odyssées.com
2001 – Roi du IIIe millénaire
2002 – Roi de l’Euroland
2003 – Roi de la .comMedi@
2004 – Roi de la Clonerie
2005 – Roi du fol climat Merdaille et Cornipétant
2006 – Roi des Dupes
2007 – Roi de la Très Grande Mêlée
2008 – Roi des Ratapignatas,
2009 – Roi des Mascarades
2010 – Roi de la Planète Bleue
2011 – Roi de la Méditerranée
2012 – Roi du Sport
2013 – Roi des 5 continents
2014 – Roi de la Gastronomie
