Ptuj, 2nd February – At the midnight tonight the kurents will start their dance for the first time this year. Traditionally kurents gather at the home of the 2nd carnival prince Matevž Zoki in Budina near Ptuj.

Kurent is a mystical figure who drives away winter and bad spirits with his ritual dance and attracts spring and good spirits into the land.

The origins of Kurentovanje are not certain, but it is likely connected to Slavic paganism. Kurent or Korant is the most famous traditional carnival figure of the entire region. The carnival in Ptuj is named after it. At the same time, it is the most popular and frequent traditional carnival figure in the Ptuj and Drava fields, and in Haloze hills.