Culture et Fêtes Francophone

2 What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras marks the last day of the carnivals taking place before Lent (the time for the Christian community to avoid eating fat). In some countries the carnival is celebrated for one full week before Lent. It is celebrated in Christian countries (those mainly Catholic) It has replaced old Roman and Celt rituals where spring was celebrated. Mardi Gras is the last opportunity for merrymaking and indulging in food and drink.

3 Other names for Shrove Tuesday United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia - Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day Brazil - Terça-feira gorda - Fat Tuesday - the final day of Brazilian Carnival. Greece - Apocreas, which means "from the meat" since they don't eat meat during Lent, either. Sweden - Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday). USA In Catholic and French-speaking parts of the United States this day is called Mardi Gras. Germany - "Fastnacht" (Also spelt "Fasnacht", "Fasenacht", "Fasteloven" (in the Rhine area) or "Fasching" in Bavaria.) In Iceland the day is known as "Sprengidagur" (Bursting day). Other names for Mardi Gras

Ligne de Temps 4 Mardi Gras 9 février days L’Epiphanie 6 janvier Noël 25 th decembre Lent : 46 days mercredi des cendres 10 février 2015 Pâques 27 mars 2016 Mardi Gras celebrations can start as early as January 6 (the feast of Epiphany). The festivities end at midnight on Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent). Like Ash Wednesday, the date Mardi Gras falls on depends on the date of Easter, always occurring 46 days before Easter.

The name Mardi Gras (or Fat/Shrove Tuesday) is the day where people eat up the last of their remaining fatty foods before going into Lent. It has become a tradition to make doughnuts and fried sweet fritters on that day. Traditionally we also stop eating eggs so people use them up by making pancakes before the start of Lent. 5 What are the special foods of Mardi Gras?

6 Nice, France New Orleans, USA Rio, Brazil Venice, Italy Mardi Gras is marked by spectacular parades featuring floats, pageants, elaborate costumes, masked balls and people dancing in the streets. The tradition of Mardi Gras is celebrated annually around the world. The most famous modern Mardi Gras carnivals are held in New Orleans, USA; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Nice, France; Cologne, Germany and Venice, Italy.

The word "carnival" comes from the Latin "carnelevare" which means ‘removing the meat’. The removal of meat is during Lent, the 46 days before Easter. The carnival is a time of joy and freedom. The festival is accompanied by dances symbolic of farandoles*. People hide under their costumes and masks so no-one knows who they are. It's a topsy-turvy world: dressing up, eating all you want, coming out singing in the streets. 7 The official colours of Mardi Gras are: Purple  Justice Green  Faith Gold  Power Facts about Mardi Gras * farandole is a chain of people dancing holding hands.

Pancake (crêpe) Recipe Ingredients, make about 8 pancakes 250g/10oz plain flour, sifted pinch of salt 3 eggs 1 pint of milk 50g/2oz butter Directions In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the frying pan, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crêpe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Cook the crêpe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot. 8

The characters of Mardi Gras Pierrot is a Lunar character, a great dreamer. His face is white and so is his costume: large trousers and a blouse with a collar and very large black buttons down the front. Sometimes he has a tear that runs from under the eye. Arlequin (Harlequin) is a funny character so poor that his costume is full of holes. To hide the holes, he has sewn on odd pieces of cloth which make his suit one of different coloured diamonds. Polichinelle (Punch) is quick-witted, sarcastic and cynical. He has a bump both in front and behind, and a horrible crooked nose. He wears a suit and a big hat.