A few thousand people gathered in Cerknica, and Shrovetide figures occupied other parts of Slovenia, too.

Let's start in the land of mother Uršula – in Cerknica. On Thursday, villagers from Butale (fictional place with somewhat dumb inhabitants, described by renowned local writer Fran Milčinski) took over the control of the town, and the festivities reached their peak on Sunday with the traditional, 41st Cerknica carnival.

Accompanied by the sounds of Cerknica's Shrovetide anthem and raising of the flag, at "exactly about" 12.32 pm one of the most attractive and massive Slovenian carnivals began, with around 700 Shrovetide figures participating and several thousand visitors.

Fickle weather did not scare industrious Cerknica organisers, who yet again created an unforgettable experience, since the carnival parade – this year called The pike on dry land – featured around 700 Shrovetide costumes, including famous monumental figures such as the Frog, the Hedgehog, the Dragon, the Lakeman, the witch proto-mother Uršula and others joined by a new figure, almost six-metre-long pike.

The festivities in Cerknica will continue until Ash Wednesday when the Shrove is traditionally thrown from the bridge into the Cerkniščica River, and preparations for next year will begin immediately.

Kurents enthral crowds in Ptuj
The streets of Slovenia's oldest town, Ptuj, were filled with more than 2,500 carnival figures, including groups from nine other countries. Despite somewhat sour weather, the largest Slovenian carnival welcomed about 40,000 visitors.

Since Ptuj's 56th Kurentovanje, which traditionally takes place between Candlemas and Ash Wednesday, is slightly shorter due to this year's calendar, its organisers combined the ethno fest and the carnival fest, which normally run separately.

D. S., MMC; translated by K. Z.