CARNIVAL. SHROVE TUESDAY OR MARDI GRAS

By Celso Simón, Cesar Muñíz and Lydia Feijóo.

• CARNIVAL. ORIGIN AND FESTIVAL

The word Carnival may come from the Latin expression 'carne levale' which means 'farewell to meat'.

Carnival is a public festival held in Roman Catholic countries during the week before Lent. During Lent people cannot eat meat or have fun, so Carnival is a period of time to enjoy everything that will not be allowed later in Lent.

It is thought that Carnival started in Italy and spread to France, Spain and Portugal. When these countries colonized America, they brought their traditions to this continent.

When Carnival first began, it was celebrated from December 26th until the day before Ash Wednesday. Nowadays it lasts three days and people celebrate it with street parties or parades and they also dress up and cook all kind of nice dishes.

• SHROVE TUESDAY OR MARDI GRAS

Shrove Tuesday(Martes de carnaval) This is the day before Lent and it is a day for people to eat the food that is forbbiden to eat during Lent. (See Pancake Day)

Mardi Gras. In some non-Roman Catholic countries this day is called Mardi Gras, and it is celebrated with a Carnival. In the US, the city of New Orleans celebrates the most famous Mardi Gras. There is drinking, dancing and a parade. Some historians think that Mardi Gras has its roots in ancient British rituals of fertility which celebrated that spring was coming.