Carnivals and parades of the year

• carnivals and parades of the year

Carnivals 2017 were in full swing. In the world are the last celebration before Lent, which marks the end of winter and the arrival of spring.

In today's photos from various carnivals and parades that took place in recent days around the world.

Carnival in Lamego in Portugal, 27 February 2017. People wear wooden masks representing kings, hunters evil spirits and a lot of someone else. (Photo by Octavio Passos):

In Rio de Janeiro, even the dogs wear fancy clothes, February 25, 2017. (Photo: Silvia Izquierdo):

The first carnivals were in Italy, and the very first of them - a carnival in Venice, which no unmistakable. (Photo: Fabrizio Bensch | Reuters):

The parade on the Grand Canal in Venice, February 12, 2017. (Photo by Marco Bertorello):

The first mention of the carnival in Venice belongs to 1094, although XIII-XIV centuries masks carnivals were not. (Photo by Marco Bertorello):

The parade in Mainz, Germany, 27 February 2017. There, is not potrollit Donald Trump? (Photo by Thomas Lohnes):

The word "carnival" - of Spanish origin, though, what it means - a moot point. There are suggestions that it comes from the word "ship" (carrus navalis) - in many Spanish villages during this holiday drove through the streets of layout of the ship or boat. By the way, this is Spain. (Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez):

The most colorful and the most famous carnivals in the world are, of course, in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo by Raphael Dias):

samba school in Rio de Janeiro prepare for the event thoroughly: made scenery, platforms, incredible costumes. (Photo by Raphael Dias):

In Spain, the costumes are simpler, but also fun in the cities, 26 February 2017. (Photo by Miguel Vidal | Reuters):

Economy suits can also be creative. Druzhbany in the northern Spanish countryside of Navarra, 27 February 2017. (Photo by Ander Gillenea):

A large-scale carnival in Nice, France, 11 February 2017. (Photo by Eric Gaillard | Reuters):

witch on a broomstick, Germany, February 25, 2017. (Photo by Michael Probst):

Wonderful Dragon. In scale it is clear that it is Rio de Janeiro. (Photo by Mauro Pimentel):

The angel of the Venetian carnival on February 19, 2017. (Photo by Alberto Pizzoli):

Girls at the carnival in Bolivia, February 25, 2017. (Photo by David Mercado | Reuters):

And this is Germany. (Photo by Michael Probst):

And what in Russia? Flowering of carnival culture is considered to be the end of the XIX century in Russia during the reign of Nicholas I. He often arranged "closed" masquerades in the Anichkov Palace and attended public festivities. And at that time, costume balls arranged almost everything: high-school students, wives of factory owners, artists and other estates and social groups. Additional interest in carnivals warmed media, publishing materials about the most unusual and beautiful outfits. In the XIX century the carnival tradition in Russia has begun to decline.

Carnival in Haiti on February 19, 2017. (Photo by Hector Retamal):

In Russia today compete with Western notions of Mardi Gras. Its beginning it takes the ancient ancient celebration wires winter, but with the advent of Christianity marks the beginning of Lent, as well as carnivals. Unlike European festivals are the main attributes of Carnival: if western neighbors are increasingly turning to a medieval tradition, the Russian pagan, and the feast is accompanied by a variety of fun, sleigh rides, plenty of food, fist fights and burning effigies. Carnival in the north-east of Portugal, 26 February 2017. (Photo: Octavio Passos):

Agricultural Carnival in the Spanish countryside, February 25, 2017. (Photo by Susana Vera | Reuters):

This outfit is called "Casino Royale", and the carnival takes place in the Canary Islands on 24 February 2017. (Photo by Borja Suarez | Reuters):

So the few remaining shots will be from Brazil, still the most colorful events take place there.

Carnival procession in Rio de Janeiro, 27 February 2017. (Photo by Pilar Olivares | Reuters):

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, February 27, 2017. (Photo Yasuyoshi Chiba):

Sambadrome on Sapucaí - street in Rio de Janeiro, designed for street processions, carnival samba and other large-scale activities. Established in 1984. The construction is a 700-meter fenced out on both sides of which are platforms for spectators. (Photo by Leo Correa):