Having just seen off Santa Claus and his elves, we’re looking forward to the time of crazy joy, when everyone can be exactly who they want to be, when everyone gets unmasked. Or not! Because during the carnival madness, everything is allowed. And that’s why we should take advantage of this fifth season, which starts on 17 January with the handover of the keys to the city in the Communal Palace.
Traditionally, the masquerade parade, led by the Children’s Mayor, will also take over the “power” over the city and allow everyone to show what they want to be in the coming period.
As part of the “Carnival Search” program, which will be held on 8 and 15 February from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the city centre, the youngest participants, accompanied by their parents, will be able to step into the imaginary world, board the Merry Carnival Bus and have fun with the Wizard’s Troupe.
Here they can briefly explore the world of magic with magician Stefano, get into the roles of their heroes by having their faces painted, watch the show The Masquerade School and experience the real magic of carnival. The bus leaves in front of the Arena at 9:30 a.m., then at 10, 10:30, 11 and 11:30 a.m. All interested parents have to collect the tickets the day before at the Pula Tourism Office at Forum 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Children’s Carnival Parade for kindergarten and school groups, organized by the Naša djeca association, will be held on 21 February in the Pula Arena, starting at 10 a.m.
The big Carnival Parade of masked groups will take place in the city centre on 22 February at 11:30 a.m. After gathering at Karolina, the parade will start its tour in front of the Arena, where their first presentation will take place, and then head to Portarata Square for the second presentation and a large gathering.
From 3 p.m. onwards, there will be a real carnival ball with the Lucky Band at the Croatian Defenders’ Home where admission is free for all carnival lovers.
The next day, 23 February, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the Valmade-Veli Vrh carnival group will parade through Valmade, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Veli Vrh.
This year’s carnival madness will end on 4 March with the traditional burning of Pust, the main culprit for all the troubles that have befallen us, which will be made known when the sentence is pronounced before the burning, starting at 7 p.m. at Veli Vrh. This will mark the end of this year’s carnival season and the time to get serious about the upcoming Lent.