Imagine waking up one late spring morning, looking out the
window and witness the streets filled with images and sounds rarely found in
the real world. Smiling princesses wearing the finest of dresses and pearls
making curtsy to ancient fur clad cavemen, while flirting with a group of
handsome young Scotsmen in kilts. A troll chasing after giggling little
mermaids, with only seashells covering their bodies, while a purple and
green creature, only found in fairytales, walk hand in hand with a
caricature of the king above them all; Elvis. The drums are playing
enchanting rhythms, encouraging this mass of fantasy creatures to move and
dance their way through the streets.
Once every year during the carnival, the citizens of Aalborg wake up to this
magic scenario as the world is turned upside down in a massive celebration
of spring, life and fantasy. For one day, it is possible to escape the usual
everyday hassle and play any conceivable role in life –“you’re the
entertainer – the street is your stage” is the motto! Carnival in Aalborg
differs from other major carnivals held around the world in inviting
everyone to join in the fun parade: rich or poor; beautiful or ugly; big or
small – anyone can take part in this spectacular celebration of life. You do
not have to be part of a carnival group, wear specially designed costumes or
be able to dance exotic samba. Moreover, the carnival parade is absolutely
free of charge. Each year, around 25.000 singing, playing and dancing
carnival enthusiasts from all over the world take an active part in this
extravagant carnival parade in Aalborg, and many, many more join the
festivities on the sidelines.
Crossing the Limits
Naturally, the Carnival in Aalborg has a carefully selected Carnival King as
the head of the carnival; a real king surrounded by lackeys and waiters. In
the early spring, the King is crowned at the city hall. For one day only,
the mayor of Aalborg hands over the city key and the management of the city
to the King of Carnival. A privilege restricted to the few. The king arrives
by boat to the cheering crowds and immediately begins to carry out his royal
duties of leading the carnival procession through the streets of Aalborg.
Having reached the city park, where the party climaxes, the King of Carnival
invites vagabonds to join him in a sumptuous meal of delicious foods and
wine at the great beggar’s banquet. Beggars become kings and kings become
beggars as the wonderful world of carnival turn the world upside down.
Carnival in Aalborg crosses limits in more than one way, and over the years
the carnival has managed to put Aalborg on the great international carnival
map. Carnival in Aalborg is listed on The Miami Herald’s world list of
carnivals, among the great carnivals of the Caribbean and South America.
Carnival in Aalborg has also been selected one of top 50 attractions in
Europe by www.localfestivities.com. In this way, the stout-hearted Danes
find themselves celebrating spring side by side with fellow carnival lovers
from near and far; Fur-clad Bulgarians, representing centuries of old
carnival traditions; sweating and hip-wriggling Brazilian dance girls;
impressive tall and colourful Caribbean mass bands and Southern European
mask groups. These international carnival groups from all over the world are
carefully selected and invited to display the different carnival traditions,
unique to their country, enhancing the cultural diversity of the special
event.
The Programme
The international carnival celebrations kick off
during Friday of the carnival weekend with the ‘Battle of Carnival Bands’
where 15 Danish and international carnival groups compete in the streets and
on stage in a friendly, but earnest attempt, to become the Carnival Band of
the Year. Saturday, the party is open for everyone and both the Grand Parade
and the party in the city park, Kildeparken, offer a wide variety of
entertainment and music from four different stages all day until midnight.
Throughout the world’s larger cities, carnivals take all sorts of different
and interesting shapes, but common to them all are the elements of fantasy,
extravagance, colour and life. In Aalborg, this common touch also carries
great weight, so that you and I can add our special stamp of magic on the
carnival. There is something for everyone at the Carnival in Aalborg and
everyone is welcome!
The Carnival in Aalborg invites you – or anyone you would like to be - to
experience a weekend of magic!
Carnival Programme
Sunday the 20th of May: Children’s Carnival: The children have their own
parade and party to celebrate carnival. Painted faces, princesses, pirates
and all sorts of characters come together in this magical world for children.
An event for the whole family.
Friday the 25th of May: Battle of Carnival Bands: A celebration of the
diversity of the carnival cultures of the world with spectacular carnival
groups from all over the world in the spotlight. Outrageously large
Caribbean costumes, humorous Mid-European characters, colourful gypsy
dancers, samba and many more are competing for the title “Best Carnival
Group 2007”.
Saturday the 26th of May: Grand Parade and Party in Kildeparken: Fantasy and
freedom is motivation of the dressed up people in the carnival celebration.
Everyone is invited. An experience you don’t want to miss!
Full programme for the whole carnival and upcoming events will be published
on www.karnevaliaalborg.dk
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