'Time of Freedom': Photos of Carnivals From Around The World

As the famous French writer Alexandre Dumas said, "carnival in all countries of the world that have preserved this commendable custom is a time of freedom, when people of the strictest rules allow themselves to be crazy."
Sputnik
Carnival is a time of unimaginable transformations. Bright costumes, general rejoicing, fiery dances and jokes — the holiday sweeps everyone into a sea of fun and beauty, and February is the high time to celebrate it.
Originating in Europe, the festive processions quickly spread around the world, and each country's carnival has its own history and unique style.
The carnival in Venice, Italy, is considered one of the most popular in the world, characterized by mystery and mysticism, while the carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is famous for its unforgettable show and fantastic costumes. Its main highlight is the parade of samba schools.
German Cologne also organizes numerous festivities, fancy dress parties, musical performances and fancy dress balls, while several months before the holiday the organizers come up with the carnival slogan - the song with which the procession will take place, and its three main characters.
The festival in Nice, France, is famous for its flower processions and giant papier-mâché dolls that weigh up to two tonnes and tower eight to twelve meters above the floats.
Have a look at Sputnik Africa's gallery. Feel the festive spirit of carnival in different parts of the world!
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Costumed revelers take part in a carnival parade at El Callao town, Bolivar State, Venezuela, on Feb. 11, 2024.

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Firefighters stand on their vehicle as a carnival float depicting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as a one-eyed pirate with a telescope passes by during the Shrove Monday carnival procession in Mainz, on Feb. 12, 2024, while the city's Cathedral can be seen in the background.

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Carnival dancers perform during the "Jisk'a Anata," or "Small party" in the Aymara Indigenous language in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

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A woman fixes the costume of a reveler during carnival celebrations in Villa Gesell, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

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Performers from the Vila Isabel samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024.

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A man dressed up as a clown rides a small motorbike as he takes part in the clown parade in Sesimbra on Feb. 12, 2024.

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Police stand in line as revelers parade during carnival celebrations in Villa Gesell, Buenos Aires province, Argentina, Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024.

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A man carries a wings costume during Carnival in Caracas, Venezuela, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

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A woman sits at a window, taking a picture of the traditional carnival parade in Duesseldorf, Germany, on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

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Aymara Indigenous musicians play during the "Jisk'a Anata," or "Small party" in the Aymara Indigenous language, during Carnival in La Paz, Bolivia, Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

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Performers from the Salgueiro samba school parade during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, early Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

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A child wearing a joker mask takes part in the clown parade in Sesimbra on February 12, 2024.