The most significant carnival event is back with an even richer programme

Ptuj, Slovenia – Ptuj, the oldest town in Slovenia, has been known for its carnival, called Kurentovanje, for more than half a century as being the most significant cultural and ethnological event in this part of Europe. The main mystical figure, after which the carnival was named, is Kurent, typical of Ptuj and its surroundings. Kurent, in fact, is much more than just a simple carnival mask, for it foretells the domination of good over evil, of light over darkness, and as such it re-establishes the connection with the primordial human nature. In 2013, Kurentovanje will be held between 3^rd and 12^th February, when Kurents will be joined by numerous carnival and ritual masks from the entire world.

Ptuj, for the 53^rd time in a row, will put on carnival colours and become the centre of this part of the world. Boundaries between time and space will fall, and people will be able to discover anew the primordial power of seasons. Kurentovanje 2013 consists of three distinguishable programmes: EthnoFest, CarnivalFest and ArtFest, which are enriched every year with new concepts and topics. The main novelty this year concerns the youngsters who will be able, within the scope of the Youth in ArtFest Action, to show their creativity in terms of music, dance, theatre and photography.

Kurentovanje will enhance its tradition of an international ethnological event which has become one of the main festivals on the European carnival calendar. One of the main events will be the so-called EthnoFest held on 3^rd February, casting numerous autochthonous carnival masks and rituals from the Ptuj region, from Slovenia and from abroad. The 53^rd International CarnivalFest, held on Carnival Sunday – 10^th February – will justify once more the reputation of the biggest and most significant carnival event in Slovenia and in wider European region with the participation of 4,000 traditional masks from 10 countries.

“In February 2013, Kurentovanje will connect ethnology, culture, arts, entertainment and people coming from near and far. It will offer a pinch of satire, which, after all, is proper for the carnival time. Visitors will be able to attend more than 100 different performances comprising exhibitions, lectures, and concerts. Some 15,000 participants from 15 different countries are expected, and about 150,000 visitors from near and far,” said Branko Brumen, Head of Kurentovanje 2013 and Vice-President of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC).