February 29, 2012

Last but not least (from Kurentovanje 2012)

Juršinci Grapes

Juršinci Grapes

Vičavski štromarji (Electricians)
 
Turks in Slovenia and attack on Ptujska Gora from Kulturno turistično društvo Soviče Dravci

Turks in Slovenia and attack on Ptujska Gora from Kulturno turistično društvo Soviče Dravci
 
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
 
Penguins
 


 

 

Arlon, Belgium

With sweets for all the kids ... <3

 

Catch me if you can ... 
 
Happy Hippies
 
The "Gypsies" from Dornava

The "Gypsies" from Dornava

February 28, 2012

Franklin & His Friends

Awarded 52. carnival parade groups:

1. Lego city from Mala vas
2. Turtles Frančki, Bukovci Vopošnica
3. Turks in Slovenia and attack on Ptujska Gora from Kulturno turistično društvo Soviče Dravci
4. Miki Mouses from Stojnci Siget
5. Juršinci Grapes
6. Music box puppets, Stojnci
7. Cirkus gimnazius Ptuj
8. Kostevski devils
9. Rabbits and carrots from Spuhlja
10. Borovje Devil


  

The Turtles – so happy together. :)






February 26, 2012

Kurents

Kurent (also known as korant) is the central traditional carnival figure in this part of the world, and the most popular and widespread traditional carnival figure in the areas of Ptujsko and Dravsko polje and Haloze. The Ptuj carnival, called Kurentovanje, which is one of the most important traditional events in Slovenia and Central Europe, stems from a hundred-year-old tradition of celebrating the Carnival in the areas of Dravsko and Ptujsko polje, and always brings magical joy and good humour.

The present day kurent stems from folk tradition. In the old days, only unmarried men were allowed to put on the kurent costume, while today anyone, even a woman, a married man or a child, can wear it. The main role that kurents have today is the preservation of carnival cultural heritage and tradition. In the lowland as well as the mountainous part of Haloze in the Ptuj area, the kurent’s role has always been to drive away winter by jumping from side to side, bell-ringing and rituals, which is why they are thought to have supernatural powers. In the country,  the arrival of the kurent has always announced the beginning of the new life which comes with the springtime. Therefore, this creature has always been respected.


Chasing girls ... :)