The Magnificent Dance of Two Thousand Masks
Marshall Tito Square
June 1st, 2003
The
summer carnival, held in St. Euphemia’s town for the third time in a
row, organized by “Vita vitae” travel agency from Rovinj, deserved nothing
but praise this time. Never better, never more beautiful and never more
lavish – these were some of the comments by visitors that have descended
on Marshall Tito Square on Saturday night, to enjoy the magnificent carnival
parade and the dance of two thousand masks worn by as many as 39 groups
coming from Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.
For most carnival groups, this was already their third visit to Rovinj,
the town that is becoming distinctive in the carnival milieu, owing to
“Vita vitae” manager Vlasta Pokrajac, but also a great discovery for
groups that have arrived for the first time, such as those from Slovenia.
As compared to last year, a significant progress has been made, which is best manifested by the doubled number of participants. The carnival groups came from nearly every Italian town. The distinctive Venetian masks were the most effective ones if not the most represented, the Verona ones with a total of 13 groups, then the ones from our neighbouring town of Trieste, groups from Muggia, Monfalcone, Paular, and special attention was also attracted by the Austrian group “Krampus” from Eggersdorf. We were also joined by five groups from Slovenia for the first time, the ever-present Labinians and more groups from Rijeka. The host should also be commended, primarily the youngest participants of the carnival parade, the children from “Neven” kindergarten, as well as Rovinj Brass Band and the majorettes – said Vlasta Pokrajac who accomodated around 700 guests, participants of the parade, in TS facilities Villas Rubin and Valdaliso, for 3-day and 4-day socializing and rest in the pre-season period.
The
beauty of costumes and masks had the audience groaning out loud with
delight. While they awarded them with applauses, the first returned the
favour by dancing, confetti, candies and ice-cream. The youngest ones
ran for their lives from the “Bogeymen”, while the somewhat older ones
crowded in front of the beautiful Brazilian dancer who was the frontwoman
for “Berimba-OU”, a music group of drummers from Trieste.
The man on stilts with butterfly wings was also interesting, as well as the blue-and-gold zodiac signs. All of them, including the “human macaroni”, “human cellular phones” and women in crinolines, have been entertained by the Rovinj band Give Me Five, until early morning hours.
Beside Vlasta Pokrajac, the organizer of the 3rd summer carnival, the Town and the Tourist Association should also be commended as main sponsors, as well as the inspired master of ceremonies – carnival expert Milan Medak.
tekst: N.O.Radić - Glas Istre
