Episode 47
Photo Cred: @Timotej
Bol, Brač Island
Dobro jutro, prijatelji!
We’re in for another great podcast today!
In this episode’s lesson, we will jump into one of any language’s most basic components.
The alphabet!
It’s longer and a bit more complicated than the English alphabet, but we love a challenge!
Lesson - Alphabet
alphabet - abeceda
a - auto
b - brod
c - cura
č - čestitke
ć - noć
d - dupin
dž - džep (pocket)
đ - rođendan
e - evo (evo nas)
f - fino
g - godina
h - Hrvatska
i - izvolite
j - jabuka
k - kikiriki
l - lav
lj - ljubav
m - majmun
n - ništa
nj - Njemačka (Germany)
o - opet
p - pingvin
r - ruka
s - subota
š - što?
t - tri
u - Uskrs
v - večer
z - Zagreb
ž - živjeti
In our SSR, DJ Moe gives us a spectacular description of the yearly Carnival in Rijeka, the biggest in all of Croatia! It is also one of the most famous Carnival’s in all of Europe. Grab your mask and a willingness to dance and celebrate with us!
The Rijeka Carnival known to be the biggest in Croatia and one of the largest in all of Europe occurs right before Lent. The history of this event dates back a century, consisting of well organized Carnival Balls and parades. In those days the events were attended by Austrian and Hungarian aristocrats, Russian Princesses, German Barons, Earls, counts and countesses from all over Europe. Basically a lot of changes were happening in those parts so the Carnival went away.
Returning in 1982 and the Carnival started off small and slow, with only 3 performing groups, was attended minimally and wasn’t very popular over all. In the years to come, it really started to regain its intensity and popularity. In 2001 there were 144 groups! The Carnival organizers decided to reduce that amount to 99 in 2008 and that Carnival had approximately 150k visitors in attendance. It’s gotten so big that the locals have dubbed it the 5th season kicking off in Mid February, adding to Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
To kick off the Carnival itself there are a few preceding events worth noting. First thing that takes place is the Mayor of Rijeka handing over the key to the city to a master of Ceremonies or a Carnival Maestro, known as the Meštar Toni. The Meštar Toni is now the Mayor of Rijeka during the Carnaval Season. The second thing that happens and on the very same day a carnival Queen is also elected.
There are a bunch of smaller events/parties in the cities of Rijeka during the Carnical Season, both the Meštar Toni and the Queen attend them all.
Included in the pre-Carnival events is a Charity Ball, which isn’t open to the public, that happens at the Governor’s Palace that is attended by politicians, ambassadors, media people and professional athletes to help raise money for local charities.
The 3 Events of Rijeka Carnival
The 1st being the Rallye Paris - Bakar. It’s a take on the Dakar Rallye. This is a 12.5 mile or 20 km car race, from a restaurant called Paris in Rijeka to a southeastern location in the city of Bakar. All who participate wear masks, their cars used are usually old and decorated.
The 2nd event is a kids event. Held where the main event takes place on main walkway, Korzo. The groups that take part are from kindergartens and elementary schools, this event also invites groups from other parts of Croatia to perform and join in on the fun.
The Main Event is held on the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday, kicking off around noon. The groups march down the route and go before The real Mayor of Rijeka, Meštar Toni and the Queen who are at the main stage located in front of City Hall. Each colorfully costumed/decorated group and their float is announced and thanked. Spectators line the route the whole way cheering each group on as they pass by.
There is one more event before the Carnival truly ends, called the Pust. This is where a puppet is constructed and is held accountable for all the bad things that transpired the year prior. The list of grievances is read aloud at a ceremony at the harbor where justice is served. A boat then takes the puppet out to sea and the puppet is lit on fire.
A few smaller local cities do their own version of this and send out their own puppets to sea as well.
Parties will keep going on in stalls and tents into the night which are set up along the canal, bringing the Carnival Season to an end.
And that’s it for the Super Slatko Report.
