Colors of Venlo - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Every year Venlo hosts a beautiful carnival just before the Lent. This carnival is one of the most popular and favorite national celebrations in the region. Despite the fact that such solemn events usually take place in several other cities across the country, Venlo carnival is distinguished by a number of interesting peculiarities and unusual traditions. The carnival takes place 40 days before Easter. First celebrations of this kind appeared yet several centuries ago in the country. Local people believe that it is important to have fun, eat delicious food, and enjoy trouble-free days before the Lent as that will help to follow the strict rules of fasting.

Traditionally, local people choose the prince and princess of the carnival. This couple becomes the rulers of the city during the event. They receive the symbol of power from the mayor – the city’s key. Once this ceremony is over, numerous parades and performances start in Venlo. The traditional procession moves on all main streets of the city, attracting more and more citizens and travelers. Carts and chariots have become an essential part of the celebration – local people make giant figures of fairytale characters and famous people and put these figures into carts.

A tradition of the so-called “peasant weddings” is one more striking peculiarity of this celebration. Couples in beautiful carts move on all main streets of the city and greet visitors. Rich couples can prepare a real carriage for that purpose, but the majority chooses to use traditional carts with velour grasses. Masquerade has become an essential part of the celebration. Everyone is welcome to put on medieval costumes or choose a costume of their favorite fairytale character. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Of course, all visitors and participants of the carnival wait for the main event – the competition of carnival clubs that prepare giant dolls for the celebration. The height of some of these dolls can be up to ten meters. Once the parade is over, attendees vote for the most beautiful doll. The carnival school that made the doll gets honor and memorable awards. Concerts of street actors and musicians, performances of theatres, and many other entertaining events are an essential part of the carnival. Numerous cafes offer pastries and drinks for carnival participants, but guests of the city are more attracted by colorful fair trades. Festively decorated stalls sell interesting souvenirs, beautiful carnival costumes, and toys for children. The fabulous celebration lasts will the midnight. After that, the city becomes silent and tired but satisfied people slowly return home.

In summer, Venlo hosts a number a music-related festivals that never cease to attract many attendees from different parts of the Netherlands and beyond. Summerpark Festival is one of the major music events in the city. This event is mostly dedicated to electronic music styles. Summerpark is an old festival that was launched almost 40 years ago. Every year, up to 100,000 visitors attend this wonderful event to enjoy energetic music, dancing, fireworks, and the overall magical atmosphere. The popular event attracts music bands from all over the world, so it is a must for all fans of this music genre.

Rock and metal fans also have a suitable event to enjoy. Blierock Festival has taken place in the city for more than a decade. It is a relatively short festival that lasts only one day while Summerpark, for instance, is four days long. However, that makes the rock festival even more intense and exciting to attend. Rock and metal bands from different parts of Europe participate in this music event.