Today is “Fues-Sondenn” (Carnival
Sunday) in Luxembourg
and the festivities are in full swing. Fastnacht/Fasching/Carnival/Carnivale is
celebrated in many parts of the world the most famous being Rio de Janeiro,
Venice and the spectacular Mardi Gras event in New Orleans.
Customs vary from country to country, some of the
best known Carnival traditions include floats, parades, masquerade balls, dancing
and singing, boisterous games and the throwing of confetti.
As with many holidays, Carnival was adapted from
pagan festivals. Some link it to the Saturnalian festival of ancient Rome others to 3500 year
old Greek spring fertility celebrations. It is safe to say that the original festival
was rooted in end-of-winter/beginning-of-spring rituals where grotesque masks, costumes
and lots of noise were used to scare away the evil spirits and winter doldrums.
For those of Christian Faith, Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday in England ), the
final party of indulgence before Ash Wednesday, marks the end of the Carnival
Season and the beginning of the privations of Lent.
Traditional carnival pastries in Luxembourg are
abundant and delicious. “Verwurrelten Gedanken” (deep fried knotted pastry) and
“Nonnefäscht” (donut dusted
with powdery sugar) are our favorites.
We wish you “Schein Fuesdeeg” (Happy Carnival). Have
fun, celebrate, be safe and don’t drink and drive.
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