{"id":6389,"date":"2025-03-24T16:23:04","date_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/?p=6389"},"modified":"2025-03-24T16:23:04","modified_gmt":"2025-03-24T15:23:04","slug":"carnival-in-the-netherlands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/2025\/03\/24\/carnival-in-the-netherlands\/","title":{"rendered":"Carnival in the Netherlands"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Have you noticed how students and people of different ages have been rushing to SoLow and other shops to grab colourful costumes and makeup? The excitement was undeniable as everyone geared up for the festivities. That\u2019s because they were getting ready for Carnival\u2014a vibrant tradition that brings people together in celebration. But what exactly is Dutch Carnival and how is it different from other countries?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5548\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/11\/IMG_20220227_141721.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5548\" class=\"wp-image-5548 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/11\/IMG_20220227_141721-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Carnival Celebration in Den Bosch\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/11\/IMG_20220227_141721-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/11\/IMG_20220227_141721-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/11\/IMG_20220227_141721.jpg 591w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5548\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carnival Celebration in Den Bosch<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Historical development<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Carnival in the Netherlands derives from religious celebrations in Christianity marking pre-Christian fertility festivals. It celebrates the end of winter, and the word comes from the Latin, where \u201cCarne Vale\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.army.mil\/article\/199897\/carnaval_in_the_netherlands_its_origins_and_traditions#:~:text=People%20celebrated%20but%20did%20penance,meant%20farewell%20to%20meat%2Fflesh.\">means<\/a> \u201cfarewell to meat\u201d pointing to the start of Lent\u2019s fasting time. \u00a0Originally, costumes were introduced into the celebrations so that people could dress up and temporarily escape social hierarchies by disguising themselves. Later on, people modernized costume use further by adding humour and theatrical touches.<\/p>\n<p>Carnival began around Late Middle Ages and, in the Netherlands, it was first recorded in cities such as Den Bosch. Towards the 16<sup>th<\/sup> century, the celebration became less popular in northern parts due to the Protestant Reformation. Today, Carnival is mainly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iamexpat.nl\/lifestyle\/lifestyle-news\/carnival-netherlands-customs-and-traditions-explained\">celebrated<\/a> in Catholic-dominated southern regions including provinces like North Brabant and Limburg shaping today\u2019s contemporary celebration.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>How do you celebrate carnival?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div style=\"width: 480px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-6389-1\" width=\"480\" height=\"848\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/Video.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/Video.mp4\">https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/Video.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>The dates of the event change every year; in 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iamexpat.nl\/lifestyle\/lifestyle-news\/carnival-celebrations-netherlands-carnaval-nederland\">it took place<\/a> between the 28<sup>th<\/sup> of February and the 4<sup>th<\/sup> of March. You can celebrate it in cities like Breda, Maastricht, Tilburg, Eindhoven and Den Bosch where celebrations hit the streets. During the Carnival, cities became colourful chaos, full of crowds wearing colourful costumes and watching parades and concerts. You can wear whatever you want as a customer as long as it is colourful and memorable. Costumes can range from mimicking a specific carnival <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wittenborg.eu\/its-carnival-nl-and-abroad-see-how-different-countries-celebrate.htm\">theme<\/a> in the city (for instance, <em>Gr\u00f2\u00f2tgragtegat<\/em>\u00a0in Amsterdam), cross-dressing, humoristic mockery and so on. By dressing up in costumes and dancing to the lively Carnavalskrakers (also known as party songs), you can fully immerse yourself in the festive spirit.<\/p>\n<h2>My Carnival Experience<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_6484\" style=\"width: 235px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6484\" class=\"wp-image-6484 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Me and my friend's costumes for Carnival\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-640x853.jpg 640w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog-150x200.jpg 150w, https:\/\/weblog.wur.eu\/international-students\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/03\/carnival-blog.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-6484\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Me and my friend&#8217;s costumes for Carnival<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"ba63d618-d046-4fe8-9829-acc83225924a\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"574\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Every time Carnival rolls around, I head to Breda because they go all out for it. This year, my friend and I decided to dress up as a duo\u2014we wanted to stand out but still be instantly recognizable, so we went as SpongeBob and Patrick. We put on our costumes, hopped on a train from Leiden to Breda, met up with our friends for some drinks, and then dove straight into the lively crowd. We stayed until late in the evening since there was always something happening. The whole day was a blast\u2014just good vibes all around, having fun with both friends and strangers.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"574\"><strong>Plan Ahead!<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>If you missed this year\u2019s carnival or are eager for next year\u2019s celebration, you can start planning in advance. Firstly, pick a city \u2013 look for the distance from your house or location of convenience, and check for parades and concerts. Remember that due to Carnival, there might be delays and disruptions in public transport especially trains so be on the lookout. Next, buy, rent, or make a costume. The theme is totally up to you, though I would recommend it to make it as memorable as possible. Lastly, inform your friends, mark it in your calendar and simply cherish the moment.<\/p>\n<h3>Final takeaways<\/h3>\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col flex-grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 whitespace-normal break-words text-start [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"dfe8a0fc-d2f7-4d57-8ec8-0ebdcc06b713\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden first:pt-[3px]\">\n<div class=\"markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert light\">\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"310\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Carnival is one of the most vibrant celebrations I\u2019ve ever seen, and it\u2019s the perfect chance to express yourself however you want through costumes. It also gives you a better feel for Dutch culture, especially in the South. If you\u2019re in the Netherlands, definitely check it out next time\u2014it\u2019s totally worth it!<\/p>\n<p>Cheers,<\/p>\n<p>Samir<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Have you noticed how students and people of different ages have been rushing to SoLow and other shops to grab colourful costumes and makeup? The excitement was undeniable as everyone geared up for the festivities. 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