Kurentovanje

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Kurentovanje

Mestna občina Ptuj, Mestni trg 1, SI-2250 Ptuj, Slovenia,

http://www.ptuj.si

info@ptuj.si

Phone386 (0) 2 748 2999

ProprietorPtuj Urban Municipality

Events abroad

Past Events

• 8 Mar 2014

  United Kingdom London Camden Centre

  
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  The first big Slovene carnival in London, with Kurents from Ptuj and a concert by Zoran Predin, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia London,

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 1 Mar 2014

  USA Cleveland St. Clair Avenue

  
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  The Second Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Washington and Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland, Ohio,

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 22 Feb 2014

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  23 Feb 2014

  France Mulhouse

  
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  Kurents from the Ethnographic Society Kurent Ptuj at the traditional carnival Mulhouse, supported by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Paris,

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 23 Feb 2013

  USA Cleveland Slovenian National Home

  
  programme

  
  

  
  

  The First Annual Slovene Winter Festival and 'Kurentovanje'

  
  

  
  

  
  

• 6 Feb 2012

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  28 Feb 2012

  Croatia Zagreb Slovenski dom

  
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  Month of Culture: two publications related to Slovene art and heritage, Kurentovanje visiting Zagreb, donation of the chair Rex to the Croatian Museum of Arts and Crafts, co-organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia Zagreb

  
  

  
  

  
  

Show more

The masked rite of spring known as Kurentovanje is held every February for 10 days up to Shrove Tuesday and is the most popular Mardi Gras celebration in Slovenia; most of the festivities are centred in and around Ptuj, Slovenia's oldest town, which has hosted Kurentovanje for around four decades.

The name comes from the festival's central figure, the Kurent, who in earlier times was believed to have the power to chase away winter and usher in spring. The origins of the Kurent and Kurentovanje festivities are obscure, and may have come from earlier Slavic, Celtic or Illyrian customs. Similar traditions are found throughout the region, in parts of Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and elsewhere. The costume is simple: a sheepskin hat and outfit, cow bells hanging from a chain belt, red or green wool socks and black boots. However, creation of the Kurent mask is a major folk art in Slovenia, although there are now only two masters of Kurent masks left - Master Klinc from Spuhlja and Master Zelenik from Markovci. The mask is made of leather, with two holes cut out for the eyes and a hole cut out for the mouth. The holes are surrounded with red paint. A trunk-like nose is attached along with whiskers made of twigs and teeth made of white beans. The final touch is a long, red tongue. Groups from Austria, Croatia and Bulgaria usually participate in the event, assisting local people to build up the Land of the Kurent. The rite itself is accompanied by a full agenda of concerts, activities and other attractions, ensuring that the event is attended by more than 150,000 visitors every year. Studies of the Kurent tradition have been conducted at Ptuj Regional Museum and BISTRA Scientific Research Centre, Ptuj.