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Carnaval, a License to Misbehave
In the old days, there were only two real parties a
year for most people in the south of the Netherlands: 'Carnaval'
and a travelling fair. Now, when you can party every weekend if
you like, Carnaval still survives as a popular festival and is
even gaining ground in the Protestant north. Carnaval will be
held from Friday February 23 to Tuesday February 27 (Shrove Tuesday)
this year.
An unsuspecting visitor may find Eindhoven and its surrounding
villages changed drastically in this period. This visitor might
even be shocked by so much public drunkenness, although the atmosphere
is usually very friendly. The streets are filled with fireworks,
bands and impromptu parties. There are many enthusiastic Carnaval-goers
among TU/e's student population, so it will probably be quiet
on campus during Carnaval. The partying starts on the Friday evening
and lasts until the last person collapses on Wednesday morning
(Ash Wednesday).
Last year, mathematician Maxim Ivashkov told Cursor that some
of the behaviour he observed -people dressed up in weird costumes,
wearing blue and orange wigs, drinking in public and shouting
at passers-by- could easily result in a night in jail in his home
town of Minsk. Here even some of the police on the streets at
Carnaval add festive paraphernalia to their uniforms.
Bizarre
American researcher Anne Grillet said she woke to a bizarre spectacle
one morning during a perfectly innocent tourist visit to Maastricht,
which is a beautiful old city but also a major Carnaval venue.
The famous Maastricht Carnaval Parade was passing under her hotel
window and she had no idea what was going on. Carnaval is celebrated
with great abandon in Maastricht, perhaps more so than anywhere
else in Europe. It's the place to go for a really sensational
Carnaval experience, but be sure not to go alone, you need your
friends by your side to help you do it right.
According to Rumanian researcher Floring Mezei, beer helped his
language skills along last year during his one-night Carnaval
binge at Eindhoven's Stratumseind. "I noticed that I understood
everything. Beer helps me speak all languages," he declared
on the morning after.
Parades and parties
Another place with a great Carnaval tradition is Den Bosch, a
15 minute train ride from Eindhoven. Some people say the parties
in village pubs are better, places like Eersel and Valkenswaard
have a good reputation. In Eindhoven most of the pubs and discos
have Carnaval parties, increasingly, a Brazilian or Caribbean
theme is popular. Many celebrants go from pub to pub in their
search for the ultimate Carnaval experience. Others buy an expensive
ticket to one of the official Carnaval association parties.
In Eindhoven the main Carnaval Parade is held on Saturday afternoon
in the centre of town. The idea is not only to dress-up, but to
ridicule the authorities if at all possible. The local paper has
photographers out photographing the most original costumes and
floats, and there are various prizes to be won. This parade is
something the whole family can take part in. There are special
children's parades and parties all over town and in the neighbouring
villages on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
On Ash Wednesday a few penitents go to church to get an ash cross
drawn on their foreheads. Also on Wednesday there is 'haringhappen'
or 'raw herring eating' in the pubs. /.
There will be no Cursor next week in connection
with Carnaval.
Van Santen says he never had the
ambition to become a rector. Although he has always combined intensive
scientific research with management. "I have always felt
that was quite natural."