Rijeka carnival

Somehow in this time of year hearts, all along Kvarner bay and especially in Rijeka, start to knock a little bit faster, blood brews in veins and than it all happens. Rijeka Carnival.
Although less famous than neighbor Venetian Carnival, foreign sources, considering the occupancy of all accommodation capacities in Rijeka and its surrounding areas and an increased consumption in catering and commercial facilities out of season, have positioned Rijeka Carnival as the third largest in the world. It is a time to remember to all who were lucky enough to find themselves in Rijeka and all their friends who listen about the adventures among ‘wild’ and ‘outrageous’ masked faces at the season of Carnival.

Carnival starts in the middle of January and lasts for five weeks. All of the Rijeka’s inhabitants agree in one; it is a fifth season of a year, a season of masquerade, but not to pretend, yet to be yourself at last!

Rijeka and it’s surroundings has a long Carnival tradition, longer than a hundred years old. In past it was more intensely than any other Carnival in any other city in this part of Europe. Carnival parades and carnival balls were organized for Austrian and Hungarian aristocracy, Russian princesses, German barons, countesses and counts from all over Europe. Today, Carnival is not only the way of preserving old tradition, but the way of creating something now.

Every single mask in parade is a personal expression, and that’s why the guests in Rijeka make every single Carnival new, different and exciting. Another diversity of this Carnival is a mixture of modern conception with folklore elements and old Slavic mythology. Kvarner’s zvončari (the bellmen) are recognizable and unavoidable participants of Rijeka Carnival and all the carnivals in area.

They are a heritage of ancient pagan believes and they scare the evil ghosts away. But don’t let them scare You away!
Through those five weeks, there will be a little time to respite. Events are leaning one on another. Among all, there and than one can enjoy queen pageant of Rijeka's carnival, Carnival Snowboard Session, children's Carnival parade, international Carnival parade, Carnival auto rally Paris – Bakar and numerous parties all over the excited city.

Rijeka is one of the biggest Croatian cities, counting about 144000 inhabitants. Some consider it as a gate towards the West; the truth is that Rijeka is enchanting mixture of Europe and Balkan, and although it’s importance as a traffic center sizes, Rijeka is taking over the role of cultural center of the region. There are large amount of accommodation units; weather you are fond of hotel’s service or you rather choose private apartments, here you want be disappointed. Apartment is easy to find but maybe a bit harder in the time of Carnival. For example, last year the number of Rijeka’s inhabitants doubled at the last day of Carnival.

So, write the date down in your itinerary, and do not miss it this or next year. Pull out your masks and be yourself. Cause, it is the season of masquerade, but not to pretend, yet to be yourself at last!

Author: Anthony Goodway for Direct Croatia