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Subscribe to this list via RSS Blog posts tagged in carnival

Posted by on in Culture Blogs

 

 

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,

from the depth of the winter arising...

 

On the island of Syros, the goat-men are dancing.

 

Achilles Among the Women

 

Syros, in the Aegean Sea, is perhaps best-known as the place where—in an attempt to avert his predicted, premature death in the Trojan War—the mother of Achilles hid her adolescent son, dressed as a girl, among the female companions of the king's daughter.

The ruse, though, was uncovered by the wily Odysseus, who—knowing full well that the Greeks would need the heroic efforts of the “best of Achaians,” whatever the cost—had laid out an array of mirrors and jewelry, with a lone sword among the display, as gifts for the women of the court.

Just then, an alarm was raised, as if the island were being attacked. Achilles threw off his veil, seized the sword, and rushed out to meet the supposed attackers. So his true nature was revealed, and his fate sealed.

But already the womb of the king's daughter had kindled, and so was born Neoptolemos, only-begotten son of godlike Achilles.

 

 

A Modern Dionysia

 

This week marks the third and final week of Apókries, Greek Carnival, a folk-festival that, while tied to the ecclesiastical calendar, has never—for obvious reasons—been fully countenanced by the Orthodox Church. As elsewhere, the celebration is characterized by immoderate eating and drinking, disguises, and public parades.

These days, secular Greeks tend to associate the wine-fueled festival with the god Dionysos, whose Greater Dionysia were also, in Classical times, celebrated in the Spring.

(I would hasten to add that, while there is no known historical connection between the ancient and modern festivals, one could certainly argue for a certain continuity of spirit between the two.)

But in Syros, it would seem, Aprokries is given to another god—or rather, goddess—altogether.

 

In the Lust of the Goat is the Glory of God”

 

Rocky Syros is an island of goats.

During the last week of Carnival, the young men of the island, masked in kid-skins, don furry black goat-herds' coats and goat-bells, and go out, wooden crooks in hand, to dance raucously in the streets.

The more vigorously that they dance, the louder the clatter of the goat-bells that they wear.

Last modified on
Let the Good Times Roll: Mardi Gras Moveable Feast

Mardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday,” the last day before Lent, when Catholics were formerly forbidden to eat meat (or fat). Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, when the Lenten season begins. Depending on how early or late Easter is each year, Mardi Gras, or Carnival, can be celebrated in March or April. The first Mardi Gras celebration was in New Orleans in 1827. In olden times, people dressed in animal skin, pelted each other with bunches of flowers and drank wine. Also called Carnival, this is a very important rite of spring and has traveled all over the world. It is perhaps most grandly celebrated in Brazil. Carnival and Mardi Gras last for days and involve parades, costumes, special foods and much frolicking. This is an opportunity for you to choose what most appeals to you and create a gorgeous spring ritual.

Last modified on

white candles on black surface

 

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Last modified on

Posted by on in Culture Blogs
Sex. And Kitty Cats.

What do people really want to read about on the internet?

Well, Sex, of course.

And Kitty Cats.

So (Carnival's reputation being what it is) forthwith: a twofer. (In the long, twisted history of the Anguish Linguage, have ever those two words been used in the same sentence before?) A Mardi Gras tribute to Mr. Rudycat, the bad-most, pukin'-est kitty that ever missed the litter box. Sung, of course, to the tune of the immortal Dr. Longhair's classic Go to the Mardi Gras.

 Says the Rude: Aw, just pick me up, click the damn link, and dance, already.

Last modified on
Recent Comments - Show all comments
  • Steven Posch
    Steven Posch says #
    Don't be deceived: it's all a ploy.
  • Erin Lale
    Erin Lale says #
    Cute kitty.

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