The Carnival of Nice has long been known as one of the biggest in the world and one of the most important in Europe. The most important winter event on the ‘Cote d’Azur’ is always a great festival filled with ‘carri allegorici’(these are decorated carts which contain hidden messages and meanings) masks, dances, battles of sweet smelling flowers and naturally the sea and the sun. A massive and magnificent attraction which involves visitor and local alike from dawn till dusk and from dusk till dawn. Along the full length of the ‘suggestive’Promenade des Anglais everyone, regardless of age, can enjoy themselves.
The 122nd Carnival: From 11th to 28th February 2006.
The theme will be,”Il Re dei Creduloni”(the king of the simpletons), inspired by the today’s society,”lucciole virtuali e false lanterne”(literally society has got the wrong end of the stick), while the battle of the flowers is inspired by “illusioni e chimere”. The parades will be composed of 20 or so decorated carts with 300 people aboard, papier-màche figures and 100 or so groups of animators.
The marches and the battles of the flowers will be accompanied by rock and techno concerts, various art shows and firework exhibitions. The question now is whether all of this will manage to entice more spectators? In the past years numbers have reached 1.2 million! The following is an example of what you can find.
Programme of the Carnival of Nice 2006:
Saturday 11th February
Arrival of His Majesty, King of the Carnival.
14.30 Battle of the flowers.
21.00 Illuminated Carnival procession.
Sunday 12th February
14.30 Carnival procession.
Tuesday 14th February
21.00 Illuminated Carnival procession.
Wednesday 15th February
14.30 Battle of the flowers.
Saturday 18th February
14.30 Battle of the flowers.
21.00 Illuminated Carnival procession.
Sunday 19th February
14.30 Carnival procession.
Tuesday 21st February
21.00 Illuminated Carnival procession.
Wednesday 22nd February
14.30 Carnival procession.
Saturday 25th February
14.30 Battle of the flowers.
21.00 Illuminated Carnival procession.
Sunday 26th February
14.30 Carnival procession.
Tuesday 28th February (Mardi Gras)
14.30 Grand Carnival procession
21.00 “Cremation procession” and firework display.
