CARNAVAL

Time for Carnaval… Five days of unlimited fun: music, party, fancy dress, parades, concerts, dancing, singing…

In the Netherlands, the last day of Carnival (carnaval) is held exactly 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter, making the days of celebration vary between 4 January and 28 February. Carnival in The Netherlands is the oldest in the west of the southern province Noord Brabant. Here carnival is known as Vastenavend (literally "Fasting evening") or as "Carnaval". Most popular and even renowned places where Carnival is held (although every city, town or village celebrates it) are 's-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, Eindhoven and Breda. Carnival here has been celebrated ever since the medieval times and was modernized after WW II.

Although the west of Noord Brabant may have the oldest Carnaval, it is the south of the most southern province of The Netherlands, Limburg, where many Dutch go to celebrate it. During Vasteloavend (Carnaval in the local dialect), every town is one big party.

The band I play in has about 25 gigs we’re playing at throughout these five days uf fun. We’ll be playing at numerous parties in the province of Brabant. Many bands get together at massive festivities, but also in the smallest cafes one can imagine...

Will be back on Wednesday...
Enjoy,

HK