A Cultural Phenomenon Across Continents
Carnival or “Carnaval” is an annual celebration steeped in tradition, energy, and extravagance, acknowledged across the world in more than 50 countries—running from 8 February 2024 through 13 February 2024.
The word Carnival itself likely came from the Latin carne levare, meaning “remove meat,” in reference to the Christian period of Lent, a time of fasting, and marks a time of festivities, parades, masquerades, and feasting before the more solemn and reflective period of Lenten sacrifice.
For employees on international assignments, the energy and excitement surrounding Carnival can offer a memorable and enriching experience, immersing them in the cultural vibrancy, traditions, and community spirit of their host countries.
A Cultural Phenomenon
Most people will agree that Carnival is not simply another festival, but a cultural phenomenon. South America usually comes to mind as the most famous locations for celebrating the holiday with its energy and flamboyance:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the ultimate Carnival destination and the world’s most famous celebration spot with over a million people from across the globe typically visiting to dance, sing, have fun in the streets, at the beach, and partake in the Rio Parade.
- Salvador, Brazil’s Carnival has an African flavor with expressions of Afro-Brazilian folklore, music, and dance. Crowds dancing in the streets are fueled by the loud sounds of the region’s famous motorized floats carrying musicians and singers.
- Bolivia’s elaborate, 10-day Oruro Carnival is so good it’s said to be one of the world’s best festivals. UNESCO has recognized it as a 'Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'. The celebration lasts 20 hours and combines Indigenous and Catholic traditions with amazing parades.
Sounds exciting, but did you also know Carnival’s also celebrated in over 50 countries, each with their own unique spin on the event?
About Excess and Enjoying Life to the Fullest
For employees on assignment, Carnival can become a captivating blend of celebration and mystery, characterized by vibrant crowds, imaginative outfits, and elaborate masks. For example:
- Basel, Switzerland is well known for its celebrations each year, rejoicing with a parade of over 20,000 noisy revelers marching through the streets and parties in the city for hours after
- Istanbul, Turkey hosts the Baklahorani Carnival celebration featuring a masked parade through the streets and parties in the surrounding areas.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain boasts nine continuous days of loud, boisterous celebrations during Carnival with elaborately plumed costumes and masked merrymakers in the streets.
- Dusseldorf, Germany’s Carnival takes place on the banks of the Rhine. It has a day of festivities dedicated entirely to family-friendly celebrations and is known for its “Rose Monday” street parade featuring colorfully decorated floats, more than 5,000 costumed performers, and capacity crowds that flood the city’s pubs and restaurants.
- Goa, India’s Carnival has been a fixture for 500 years and includes parades, colorful costumes, music, dancing and intricate floats in the streets with many parties.
- Venice, Italy has made it a tradition to gather with friends every Carnevale, but across the city’s piazzas, “Carnevale” draws many thousands from around the world. They don costumes and gather at pubs and restaurants, enjoying wine and cicchetti (appetizers).
- Slovenia, where Carnival is called Kurentovanje (koo-rent-oh-VAWN-yeh), has a celebration season that culminates in the town of Ptuj where merrymaking, concerts, parades, masked balls, and kids' events last days.
- Nice, France hosts three kinds of parades: the Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers), Corso Carnivalesque Illumine (Parade of lights) and the Corso Carnavalesque (Carnival Parade). Each float has a different theme.
- Binche, Belgium hosts loud cultural performances and presents unexpected rituals like revelers throwing oranges for good luck while performers dress in elaborate, feathery hats.
Employees on assignment in the U.S. have access to celebrations as well, and it’s not limited to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Cities with notable Carnival/Mardi Gras events can be found in:
- Baton Rouge & Lafayette, Louisiana
- Orange Beach & Mobile, Alabama
- San Diego, California
- Orlando, Tampa & Pensacola, Florida
- Galveston, Texas
- Biloxi, Mississippi
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Washington, D.C.
Expats Celebrating Local Culture
Carnival celebrations across the globe serve as a testament to the beauty of cultural differences coming together in a harmonious celebration.
Employees on international assignments often gain insights into the host country's culture through experiencing local Carnivals, which can add value to the overall experience while on assignment.
Often, employees on assignment will get together with locals and other expatriates to celebrate and, for employees returning from international assignments, the exposure to diverse traditions can become a cornerstone for fostering a stronger global mindset.
New holidays, traditions, and memories in assignment destination countries might be different, but with an open-mind—exploring the local holidays and traditions around the world can prove a fun, educational, and memorable experience.
Enjoy your 2024 festivities!
A Cultural Phenomenon Across Continents
Carnival or “Carnaval” is an annual celebration steeped in tradition, energy, and extravagance, acknowledged across the world in more than 50 countries—running from 8 February 2024 through 13 February 2024.
The word Carnival itself likely came from the Latin carne levare, meaning “remove meat,” in reference to the Christian period of Lent, a time of fasting, and marks a time of festivities, parades, masquerades, and feasting before the more solemn and reflective period of Lenten sacrifice.
For employees on international assignments, the energy and excitement surrounding Carnival can offer a memorable and enriching experience, immersing them in the cultural vibrancy, traditions, and community spirit of their host countries.
A Cultural Phenomenon
Most people will agree that Carnival is not simply another festival, but a cultural phenomenon. South America usually comes to mind as the most famous locations for celebrating the holiday with its energy and flamboyance:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is the ultimate Carnival destination and the world’s most famous celebration spot with over a million people from across the globe typically visiting to dance, sing, have fun in the streets, at the beach, and partake in the Rio Parade.
- Salvador, Brazil’s Carnival has an African flavor with expressions of Afro-Brazilian folklore, music, and dance. Crowds dancing in the streets are fueled by the loud sounds of the region’s famous motorized floats carrying musicians and singers.
- Bolivia’s elaborate, 10-day Oruro Carnival is so good it’s said to be one of the world’s best festivals. UNESCO has recognized it as a 'Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity'. The celebration lasts 20 hours and combines Indigenous and Catholic traditions with amazing parades.
Sounds exciting, but did you also know Carnival’s also celebrated in over 50 countries, each with their own unique spin on the event?
About Excess and Enjoying Life to the Fullest
For employees on assignment, Carnival can become a captivating blend of celebration and mystery, characterized by vibrant crowds, imaginative outfits, and elaborate masks. For example:
- Basel, Switzerland is well known for its celebrations each year, rejoicing with a parade of over 20,000 noisy revelers marching through the streets and parties in the city for hours after
- Istanbul, Turkey hosts the Baklahorani Carnival celebration featuring a masked parade through the streets and parties in the surrounding areas.
- Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain boasts nine continuous days of loud, boisterous celebrations during Carnival with elaborately plumed costumes and masked merrymakers in the streets.
- Dusseldorf, Germany’s Carnival takes place on the banks of the Rhine. It has a day of festivities dedicated entirely to family-friendly celebrations and is known for its “Rose Monday” street parade featuring colorfully decorated floats, more than 5,000 costumed performers, and capacity crowds that flood the city’s pubs and restaurants.
- Goa, India’s Carnival has been a fixture for 500 years and includes parades, colorful costumes, music, dancing and intricate floats in the streets with many parties.
- Venice, Italy has made it a tradition to gather with friends every Carnevale, but across the city’s piazzas, “Carnevale” draws many thousands from around the world. They don costumes and gather at pubs and restaurants, enjoying wine and cicchetti (appetizers).
- Slovenia, where Carnival is called Kurentovanje (koo-rent-oh-VAWN-yeh), has a celebration season that culminates in the town of Ptuj where merrymaking, concerts, parades, masked balls, and kids' events last days.
- Nice, France hosts three kinds of parades: the Bataille de Fleurs (Battle of Flowers), Corso Carnivalesque Illumine (Parade of lights) and the Corso Carnavalesque (Carnival Parade). Each float has a different theme.
- Binche, Belgium hosts loud cultural performances and presents unexpected rituals like revelers throwing oranges for good luck while performers dress in elaborate, feathery hats.
Employees on assignment in the U.S. have access to celebrations as well, and it’s not limited to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Cities with notable Carnival/Mardi Gras events can be found in:
- Baton Rouge & Lafayette, Louisiana
- Orange Beach & Mobile, Alabama
- San Diego, California
- Orlando, Tampa & Pensacola, Florida
- Galveston, Texas
- Biloxi, Mississippi
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Washington, D.C.
Expats Celebrating Local Culture
Carnival celebrations across the globe serve as a testament to the beauty of cultural differences coming together in a harmonious celebration.
Employees on international assignments often gain insights into the host country's culture through experiencing local Carnivals, which can add value to the overall experience while on assignment.
Often, employees on assignment will get together with locals and other expatriates to celebrate and, for employees returning from international assignments, the exposure to diverse traditions can become a cornerstone for fostering a stronger global mindset.
New holidays, traditions, and memories in assignment destination countries might be different, but with an open-mind—exploring the local holidays and traditions around the world can prove a fun, educational, and memorable experience.
Enjoy your 2024 festivities!
