The fifth season is in full swing! 🎉 The Kvarner Carnival is famous for its rich tradition of masking, joyful parades, and the iconic bell ringers who chase away winter with their loud bells and call for spring to arrive. ❄️➡️🌸 Opatija, with its elegant masquerade balls and long history of carnival festivities, once again celebrates the spirit of Carnival with colorful masks, laughter, and happiness at every turn. 🎊🥳

Carnival customs vary from town to town across Kvarner, but they all share the same spirit of joy and togetherness. Here are some of the must-see elements of this magical tradition: 👇

🎡 Carnival Parade – Masked groups march through the streets with music, dancing, and jokes, often poking fun at current events and public figures.

🔔 Bell Ringers – In places like Kastav and the surrounding areas, bell ringers (“zvončari”) play a special role. They are guardians of ancient traditions, ringing their bells to “chase away evil spirits” and bring good fortune.

👧👦 Children’s Carnival & Balinjerada – The most playful part of Carnival includes children’s parades full of creative costumes and the legendary “balinjerada,” a downhill race of homemade vehicles on ball bearings speeding down Opatija’s main street. 🚗💨

🔥 The Trial and Burning of “Pust” – “Pust” is a symbolic doll representing the hardships of the past year. After a public trial, it is either burned or thrown into the sea, symbolically erasing worries and making space for a fresh start. 🌊

🎈 Come to the Croatian Museum of Tourism tomorrow for the last day of Carnival and visit our exhibition “What do we Keep in our Museum? – New Acquisitions of the Croatian Museum of Tourism!”
Every visitor who explores the exhibition will be treated to a delicious donut on their way out! 🍩😍