By Erin Barker
Carnival is one of the most anticipated events of the year
in Venezuela. The festival takes place in the month of February, 40 days before
Good Friday. Carnival has been celebrated in Venezuela since the colonial
times, especially in the city of Caracas. In present day Venezuela Carnival has
lost its importance in major cities and is more celebrated in coastal towns. El
Callao holds the most popular Carnival in Venezuela. It was established in
1853, and was originally referred to as Caratel. Carnival in Venezuela is
celebrated just like Christmas or Semana Santa (Holy Week).
The festival consists
of two - four days full of confetti, costumes, parades, games, and family
activities. Throughout the festival Venezuela is lit up and decorated. In
Callao festival goers enjoy dressing up in costumes of royal courts: kings,
queens, couriers, and jesters. Also, some participants are known to dress in
modern day movie and cartoon character costumes. One thing to beware of when
attending Carnival activities is that carnival goers like to throw water
balloons, some of which may have been frozen and filled with ice.
Works Cited 1: http://www.mapsofworld.com/venezuela/culture/
Works Cited 2: http://www.caribbeanchoice.com/venezuela/carnival.asp
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