National Geographic Interactive - 02.2020

(Chris Devlin) #1

TRAVEL | CHECKLIST


FEBRUARY

FOR PERHAPS 4,0 00 YEARS the costumed Kukeri have
been scaring off evil spirits and calling for bountiful
harvests. Top spots to see their processions include
the town of Pernik and the village of Shiroka Laka.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Revelry in Blue
Festivities get fierce
in this island nation
as the Jab Molassie
take to the streets.
These pitchfork-toting
devils—just one type
of the many Carnival
characters—cover
themselves with
molasses or grease
and paint, often blue.
Be prepared to give
them a Trinidadian
dollar (about 15 cents
U.S.), or they’ll smear
you with paint too.
The mountain hamlet
of Paramin holds an
especially wild display.

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BULGARIA

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT): AARON HUEY; FRANK BIENEWALD; ARON KLEIN;
UNIVERSAL HISTORY ARCHIVE/GETTY; MARK THIESSEN, NGM STAFF

ORURO,
BOLIVIA

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IN THIS ARID, HIGH-ALTITUDE
CITY, PERFORMERS DON HORNED
MASKS FOR THE CARNIVAL’S
DIABLADA, A DANCE INFLUENCED
BY BOTH INDIGENOUS AND
SPANISH TRADITIONS.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Beads of All Colors Go Green
Mardi Gras parades come with a
price: tons of discarded plastic beads.
But now there are more sustainable
options, such as recycled-paper
necklaces by Atlas Handmade Beads.

Here’s where to
take in the sights and
sounds of Carnival
season around the world.

BY KAREN CARMICHAEL

VENICE, ITALY
WHAT IS THE
ART BEHIND
THE MASK?
CRAFTSPEOPLE
PRESS LAYERS
OF WET PAPER
ONTO A MOLD.
ONCE THE
PAPER DRIES,
THEY HAND-
PAINT THE
MASKS AND
ADD GOLD
LEAF, GEMS,
OR FEATHERS.
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