Mardi Gras is an important celebration, which falls 47 days before Easter. During this day, disguises and delicacies are at the heart of the party. Origin, traditions, culinary specialties… What you need to know about Mardi Gras.
Mardi Gras is a traditional and popular festival, linked to Carnival, since it closes the festivities before the start of the Lent. For children and adults, Mardi Gras is above all a party where fun and indulgence take precedence. The younger ones generally savor this moment to dress up, make up and eat some sweet treats like donuts or bugnes. But do you know what exactly is celebrated at Mardi Gras and what the traditions are? here are the Origins of Mardi Graswith our recipes and all our advice to entertain and occupy the children.
When is Mardi Gras in 2024?
Next year, Mardi Gras will take place on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Each year, the date of Mardi Gras is not the same since it is fixed 47 days before Easter, so it depends on the date of the Easter feast.
What is the origin of Mardi Gras?
Originally, Mardi Gras was a pagan Roman festival that celebrated the end of winter and therefore the arrival of spring. In the Roman calendar, this day was also the occasion to break the prohibitions by dressing up and eating more than necessary. Mardi gras was then taken up in the Christian tradition to be associated with Lent. For Christians, Lent is a 40-day period of fasting and restriction that ends on Easter Sunday. Mardi Gras therefore precedes “Ash Wednesday” which is the first day of Lent.
Is Mardi Gras a public holiday?
No, Mardi Gras is not a public holiday. It does not appear in the list of legal holidays designated as public holidays. As the Ministry of Labor website states, “holidays are the legal holidays listed in article L. 3133-1 of the Labor Code: January 1, Easter Monday, May 1, May 8, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, July 14, Assumption (August 15 ), Toussaint, November 11, December 25.”
Why is this day called Mardi Gras?
Why is the party called “Mardi Gras”? In Italian, Mardi gras is called “Carnevale”, a word that comes from “carne levare” (literally “to remove the meat”), which refers to the “lean” days that will follow. During this period, Christians eat neither eggs nor meat. That’s why Mardi Gras day is marked by an abundance of meats and pastries (hence the name “gras”).
What are the traditions of Mardi Gras?
Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated in different ways around the world. In France, the tradition of Mardi Gras is to prepare sweet treats before eating them. Children also wear their best disguise, and sometimes even make-up, for fun.
All the suits are allowed at Mardi Gras: a ladybug, a butterfly, a dinosaur, a superhero, a knight’s costume, a princess… Young and old enjoy putting themselves in the shoes of another character, the time to a day. What if we looked at wild animals? Lion, tiger, panda or even panther are popular costumes for Mardi Gras. Without forgetting the clown, magician and mermaid costumes… Here are some ideas for DIY costumes or to shop to give you ideas:
What activities to do with the children for Mardi Gras?
In addition to dressing up for Mardi Gras, children can take time to make manual activities and some crafts. They can, for example, make an accessory for their costume (hat, crown, maracas) or immerse themselves in coloring on the theme of Mardi Gras, which will be used to decorate their room for the occasion. Here are all our activity ideas for children on the occasion of Mardi Gras:
Donuts, bugnes, waffles… What do we eat at Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is also known for its sweet culinary traditions. In the past, it was a question of using the reserves of butter, oil and eggs so as not to waste them during the fasting period of Lent. From, on the day of Mardi Gras we traditionally eat pancakes, waffles or donuts (and all its regional variations!).
What are Mardi gras sayings?
Several sayings and proverbs refer to Mardi Gras and its customs. Here are some examples:
► “At Mardi gras, winter goes away.”
► “Mardi gras in the rain, winter flees.”
► “Mardi gras don’t go away! I’ll make pancakes and eat them for you!”
► “On Mardi-Gras evening, you have to dance on manure to get turnips”
What is the relationship between Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday?
Mardi Gras is celebrated just before Ash Wednesday. It is therefore the last day before the start of Lent, which for Christians symbolizes a period of fasting and deprivation until Easter. Mardi gras therefore allows the faithful (but not only) to take full advantage, in particular by eating good things, before practicing fasting.
What is the difference between Mardi Gras and Carnival?
Mardi Gras and Carnival are two closely related celebrations. They have one thing in common, that of falling during “the week of the seven fat days”, just before a time of fasting (Lent). Another similarity between the two festivals: the festive side as well as the disguises of young and old. Finally, Mardi Gras marks the last day when food and amusement bans do not exist.