Top 10 carnivals in the world
- By Xu Lin
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 20, 2012
People all over the world love to celebrate festivals and special occasions together, and a carnival is often the best way to do it. As one of the world's oldest form of community celebration, carnivals combine art form that embraces many aspects of artistic expression: costume parades, balls, music performances and delicious food. There are numerous carnivals in the world, but only a small number of them are widely known and attract participants from around the globe.
Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada（加拿大魁北克冬季狂歡節(jié)）
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Quebec Winter Carnival, Canada |
Location: Quebec, Canada
Time: From the end of January until mid-February
The first winter carnival in Quebec, the world's snow capital, took place in 1894. The carnival was held sporadically until 1954, when a group of business people re-launched the festival. Bonhomme, a mascot who wore the traditional red hat and belt, was born and elected the carnival's representative that year. Since then, the carnival has become an organized event being held from the end of January until mid-February for two weeks every year. It is the largest winter carnival in the world today.
Every year before the festival, artists have to spend a month to build a five-storey-high ice castle, which is, with colorful flags on it, splendid and magnificent. Local residents elect a temporary king, who wears white clothes, hat and gloves during the carnival, like a snow man.
Ice sculpture contest is a major event of the carnival. Along the carnival street, crystal ice sculptures created by the masters from over 20 countries, in the shapes of human being, animals, buildings and geometrical figures, are exhibited. Various sport races, such as snowboarding, canoe on ice, snowshoes, hockey and dog-sledding are also held in the city and around.
Parades, music, balls, outdoor shows, free public banquets. Locals and nearly 1 million visitors get together in the winter time to eat, drink and be merry. Especially, don't miss Caribou, a signature beverage of this festival. The whole city is immersed in cheers and happiness.
