Shrovetide Carnival

Shrovetide Carnival is one of the oldest folk traditions originating from the time before Christianity. In Slovenia, Shrovetide Carnival was first mentioned in the 17th century. Our ancestors believed that the ritual would chase evil spirits from the land.

The best-known Shrovetide figures include kurenti, laufarija, škoromati, otepovci, orači and zeleni Jurij or Green George...

Kurenti

On Shrovetide, hopping kurent carnival figures chase winter from the land.

Laurfarija

They wear wooden masks and run through the streets of Cerkno.

škoromati

Otepovci

Orači (Ploughmen)

Zeleni Jurij (Green Man)

The Cerknica Carnival is also reigned by Ursula the Witch alongside Jezerko the Lake Man, the Giant Pike Fish, the Dragon, Liza the Witch and Butalci. 

Ursula the Witch

Jezerko the Lake Man

Butale