Carnival is traditionally a catholic festival and also has pagan roots. The carnival festival is always celebrated three days before Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday, also called carnival, used to be a food festival. It was actually the last opportunity to get a good meal before fasting. Nowadays there are still two different forms of carnival that are celebrated in the Netherlands, namely Rijnlands carnival and Burgundian carnival.
In Limburg and the southeast of North Brabant, Rhenish carnival is celebrated. Burgundian carnival is celebrated in the north and west of North Brabant and Zeeland. Rhenish carnival can be compared to the Cologne carnival from Germany. As the Burgundian carnival suggests, it originates from our southern neighbors, namely the Belgian carnival in Flanders, among other places.
The carnival celebrations in Limburg and the south of North Brabant are very similar to the well-known carnival celebration in Cologne. This carnival celebration is known for its Venetian characteristics. The partygoers all dress up in the most beautiful and colorful carnival clothing. Large groups all go out on the streets at the same time dressed in the same carnival clothing . In addition, this form of celebrating carnival is known for its many carnival associations. The fancy dress and carnival clothing of these carnival groups varies enormously. Every year, the carnival association comes up with a new theme for the carnival celebration. The carnival associations have three main parties each year, consisting of the court ball, the handover of the keys and the carnival parade. Each carnival association has its own princely trio. The party clothing and carnival clothing of these groups consists of many colorful patterns, and the carnival clothing is fully decorated with party wigs and various accessories. At the Rhineland carnival, the groups are often busy with the party costume for months before the carnival celebration starts. Many groups make the theme clothing and party clothing themselves. There are also various carnival groups that buy their carnival clothing at various party shops and carnival clothing shops in the area. Limburg offers a versatile range of carnival shops and party shops. There are even special shops that only sell carnival clothing and party clothing for carnival groups. The official colours of the Rijnlands carnival are red, yellow and green.
This carnival is mainly celebrated in the north and west of North Brabant, but also in Zeeland and South Holland. Traditionally, it is a costumed food festival where people make fun of each other. The carnival is less elaborate than the Rijnlands carnival and it is also celebrated with simpler carnival clothing and party clothing. These partygoers often buy the costume at various party shops in the area, but also at online carnival clothing 2014 and party shops.
During the Rijnlands carnival, only one prince is proclaimed per village. Each year, a new motto is devised for celebrating the carnival. All carnival goers take this into account. Think of the carnival clothing, party clothing , party accessories and fun party wigs. Everything is adapted to the motto that is only valid for one year during the carnival. The party is often celebrated in cafés and halls. During the Rijnlands carnival, it is chosen to keep it indoors because it is warmer there. Due to the simpler carnival clothing and party clothing, this clothing consists of fewer layers and the party goers are warmer.
