Being someone else, being allowed to say anything, stepping out of line, being brave and exuberant: Carnival strengthens your inner balance. After a two-year corona break, the big carnival parade in Villach will take place again on Saturday. The “Krone” has pictures and videos!
“Lei, Lei!” sounds through the streets and alleys of the Draustadt: Carnival is finally being celebrated again in Villach. In addition to thousands of colorfully disguised fools, some top candidates have also gathered – the election campaign continues.
The freedom of the fool before Lent
Carnival! The term promises exuberant bustle. The Middle High German word “vaschanc” became our carnival. Under the name of “vaschanc”, the guilds served a drink before the start of Lent, along with plenty of food. The much younger term carnival is derived from Latin and means something like “to take meat” – referring to Lent.
Even the ancient Romans celebrated a feast of the upside-down world: at the Saturnalia in December, even slaves received an extra ration of wine, were served by their masters and could express their opinion with impunity. They enjoyed the freedom of fools – as later in the medieval courts of fools and today in the carnival sessions.
“In the wrong world, which can also be seen from the costumes, meanwhile we also have rare pig skull dishes: the theft of a pig skull is attempted, the perpetrators are the judges, the victims and even the witnesses are punished,” explains. cultural scientist Heimo Schinnerl, who himself gained experience as a judge and pig skull thief. “Fasching is not a Christian festival, but the carnival strongholds are in Catholic areas,” says Schinnerl. Science cannot prove that carnival stems from a pagan expulsion of winter.
Riding bears should end the winter
Nevertheless, the bears in Sörg are attributed to the hope of bringing a humorous end to winter. The custom draws spectators to the town of Liebenfels on Sundays (2 p.m.). The three “Holy Days” of Shrove Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday – the term comes from racing and romping – and Shrove Tuesday are the highlight of the carnival. In many places there are large parades (see above). To put a clear end to the carnival, it is burned in Klagenfurt at the end.
On Wednesdays, the church offers a rite documented since the 11th century: a cross of ash is drawn on the forehead of the faithful. Ash has been associated with transience and purification since ancient times. Unique are the Carinthian fasting cloths, which cover the altars until Easter.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
