Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Do you remember the happy time in the spring when the people from this island took to the streets on Saturday evenings, to watch beautiful floats of different themes, under an abundance of confetti and streamers. The best part of this "Carnaval" were the "comparsas"; processions of musicians, followed by a dancing crowd, all wearing the same type of outfit and dancing to a very contagious music: "one, two, three steps forward and one back", repeating the steps over and over. These "comparsas" attracted other people who followed the dancers and their music, as they went around the streets reserved for the Carnaval. In the "good old days", the Carnaval was world famous, but after 1959 things changed. Which country, a close neighbor of the United States, had this wonderful celebration?
2. This "carnavale" takes place in one of the cities in Italy, during the two weeks before Lent. This tradition started in the 13th century, when the locals got together to celebrate a victory against an abusive nobleman. This celebration became a regular affair during Renaissance. The use of masks was very important, the more detailed the mask, the more desirable it was. Feathers and precious stones were applied on porcelain, glass or other materials. There were artisans famous for their masks, who formed guilds. At the present time, little has changed and the center of this "carnavale", attended by millions of tourists, is still San Marcos Square, where there are contests for the best costume or the best mask. In what beautiful Italian city, known for its canals, does this celebration take place every year?
3. There is a carnival in this small town which is recognized by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity". It is a celebration that lasts for weeks before Ash Wednesday. There are different events during those weeks but on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, the selected performers go on the streets wearing wax masks, like clowns, wooden shoes and hats with many beautiful ostrich feathers worth hundreds of dollars. In which European country, a French and Flemish speaking country known for its chocolates, is Binche located?
4. The carnival in this country is known as "Vastenavond", and is usually a celebration of the southern cities. It starts on Saturday before Ash Wednesday and ends 4 days later. The tradition is to name a "Prince" of the city, who receives the keys of the city from the Mayor. The Prince wears fancy clothes like a tuxedo and a hat with many ostrich feathers. This country is known for its windmills and tulips. Where is this joyous celebration talking place?
5. Mardi Gras in France is quite popular. There are many cities and smaller towns with this tradition, but from all the cities who celebrate this happy occasion, there is one in the French Riviera well known to everyone for the exceptional quality of their carnavale. There is a procession with18 or 20 floats decorated with "papier-mâché" with a theme that changes every year. In 2014 the theme was "Gastronomy". The floats have marionettes and many people dancing and acting, usually artists from all over the world. Which French city is the proud producer of this carnavale?
6. This carnival has nothing to do with Mardi Gras, as it is celebrated in May in the city of Aalborg in one of the Scandinavian countries. During a week in May, the 21st week of the year, the carnival starts in four different areas of the city with four processions, which later form a larger procession going to a city park, Kildeparken, where the people enjoy music, dancing and food. Another day, there is a competition of different bands who compete for the award for the best one. The third part of the carnival is the children's parade. In what Scandinavian country, known for its pastries (great for breakfast) and open sandwiches, are these festivities taking place?
7. These Caribbean islands are known for their carnival during the two days prior to Ash Wednesday. The carnival is an outburst of Calypso and Soca, beautiful and colorful dresses which have been influenced by African and American Indian traditions, with French, Spanish and even Industani influence. There are limbo contests and such a display of costumes, that this carnival has been called "the greatest show on earth". Which islands, now independent from Great Britain, are the site of this celebration?
8. The people in this island have a very original carnival. Everything happens in Tenerife, the biggest city. They have comparsas, like many places in Latin America (of course, they used to control these countries), but in these comparsas, there are people dressed as nuns and priests and their behavior is ridiculed. These celebrations have not much to do with Lent. They have a contest to select the Queen of the Carnival. But what is most unusual is that the day before Ash Wednesday they have the "Funeral of the Sardine", a full blown cremation of a "papier mâché" fish, with all the traditions of a funeral. This takes place in the largest island of a group of seven. What is the name of these islands?
9. The Quebec Winter Carnival is a wonderful show that takes place every year at the end of January and first two weeks in February. There are opening and closing ceremonies taking place in the Ice Palace, daytime and nighttime parades, public brunch and breakfast, dances and many other activities, which take place downtown Quebec. There are also snow sculptures, auctions and a snow bikini contest. The typical drink is called "Caribou" which is a type of hot alcoholic drink. The mascot of the carnival is a snow man with a jacket adorned with black buttons and a red hat. What is this mascot's name? (It means a "fellow" in French.)
10. This carnival takes place in Bolivia and it is recognized by UNESCO. It is a religious and indigenous festival in honor of the Virgin of Candelaria. There are processions to the Shrine of the Virgin with dancers who interpret dances typical of the Indians in Bolivia. There are international judges coming to determine which are the best groups of dancers. Where in Bolivia does this festival take place the first week of March?
Source: Author
Babilonia
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stedman before going online.
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