Carnaval

Students will be able to recognize the main characteristics and significance of el Carnaval, celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries and around the world.

​Los objetivos para hoy:

Carnaval is celebrated throughout the world, usually from February to early March. It is an annual five-day celebration before the Catholic Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

Lent is a period of time formed by 40 days before Easter, and in it certain foods are forbidden.

What is El Carnaval?

The word carnaval has a derivative of the word carne (meat) In the carnival, people enjoy everything that they may not do during Lent.

In Latin, "carne levare" means to "take away the meat".

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​Origins of the word Carnaval

Multiple Choice

When does Carnaval take place?

• February and March

• April and May

• June and July

Multiple Choice

How many days does Carnival last?

• 7 or 8

• 9 or 10

• 4 or 5

Multiple Choice

What does carnival mean?

• celebration

• party of meat

• ready to celebrate

• farewell to meat

Carnaval has a religious origin. The festival has its roots in Roman Catholic traditions when Catholics started a tradition of celebrating with a festival before Lent was to start. It was later exported to Latin America by the Spanish colonists.

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​The origins of Carnaval

Carnaval is a period of celebration, but it is celebrated differently throughout different countries in the world. People of all ages are welcome to participate and wear a costume.

​Carnaval was viewed as the last chance for freedom before Lent and Easter imposed their stricter behavior on people.

​What is the purpose of the Carnival?

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of the carnival?

• To relax after work days

• To pray and atone for your sins

• To celebrate before Lent

Multiple Choice

Who celebrates Carnaval?

• tourists

• Catholics

• Everyone

• Upper class

Multiple Choice

What do people do during Lent?

• dance a lot at parties

• eat delicious food

• participate in a fast

While unique traditions differ throughout Spain and Latin America, each Carnaval involves:

• music

• dancing

• masks

• costumes

• parades

• floats

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​Similarities between the celebrations

Carnaval and Mardi Gras are different celebrations, but people often confuse the two. Carnaval refers to the period of feasting and fun before Lent begins. Mardi Gras refers to Fat Tuesday, the final day of revelry before Ash Wednesday when the season of Lent begins. This year, Fat Tuesday will take place February 21.

​Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Multiple Choice

Carnival is celebrated the same way all over the world

• Cierto

• falso

Multiple Choice

What is very common to see during the celebrations?

• dancing

• parades

• costumes

• All are correct

Multiple Choice

Where is there a similar celebration in the United States?

• New Orleans, Louisiana

• San Francisco, California

• Orlando,

  Florida

Multiple Choice

Carnival is a colorful festival.

• cierto

• falso