The Carnaval de Nice, main winter event on the French Riviera and one of the largest carnivals in the world, is offering a programme of unforgettable entertainment from February 15 to March 6, 2013. The theme for 2013 is ” Carnaval, King of the five continents”, a theme remaining true to its vocation of universality. A journey through time and space opening all perspectives to imagination. As for the guest of honour, the French-speaking world, Nice playing host to the Francophonie Games in 2013, it was a natural choice.
Carnival is a festival which, quite frankly, is not given to the people, but that the people gives to itself. Only is the signal given here that everyone can be as crazy and unreasonable he wishes and, apart from whacks and stabbing, everything is permitted. The difference between major and minor people seems abolished for a moment: everyone gets closer, everyone takes lightly what happens to him. The impertinence and reciprocal freedom are compensated by general good mood. Goethe (Carnival in Rome in 1788)
The carnival processions, comprising 18 floats, work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world. The Carnival Parade is made up of eighteen floats designed on the year’s theme and other figurines, including 30 in traditional papier maché in a colourful parade with dazzling colours, with the participation of street theatre and music groups from all over the world. The Place Massena, emblematic Carnival venue, the departure point for a loop around the Albert 1er gardens, also hosts the Carnival Parades at night. On the square, visual Entertainment is broadcast on giant screens. For evening events, the floats are illuminated and the parades light up the heart of Nice.
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