Eagerly Awaiting Carnival

The 183rd annual carnival in Samobor, the favorite day-trip destination for numerous citizens of Zagreb, will be organized on the city streets and squares between February 13th and February 24th.

Once again, the whole city of Samobor will turn into one large stage as its streets and squares host yet another magnificent carnival. The city will again be packed with people in masked processions, singing, and dancing. However, it will also provide an opportunity to raise critical voices against the less-loved public personalities and social circumstances. The annual event, which is being organized for the 183rd time this year, between February 13th and February 24th, is particularly enjoyed by citizens of Zagreb. Besides many organized programs, such as the competition for the best mask, there will be a traditional trial of the Fašnik puppet who will be defended by the Fiškal (lawyer), judged by the Sudec (judge), while the whole proceedings will be overlooked by the Sraka (magpie) who has become the central character and a mascot of Samobor’s carnival. All of this, of course, features humorous undertones but also provides an excellent opportunity to criticize some real events and public personalities. After a ceremonial trial, the Fašnik is sentenced to death as the chief culprit for all the previous year’s troubles and, as such, this great tourist event always ends with a spectacular bonfire. Naturally, this “traumatic” event will go down much better with the help of an excellent gastronomic offer in which the famous Samobor doughnuts feature more heavily than ever during the carnival. After the festivities, things go back to normal because, as the citizens of Samobor say, “Fools make a spectacle of themselves every day, while the wise men do it only during carnival.”
The most creative and imaginative aspect of the Samobor carnival is regularly tied to the children’s carnival, which will be held on two consecutive Saturdays this year. Apart from a children’s procession and the selection of the best mask, youngsters will be able to enjoy various programs and partake in mask-making workshops, etc.