On Shrovetide Saturday, Ljubljana city centre came alive to the rhythms of the Shrovetide Dragon Carnival.

The major Shrovetide carnival was characterised by a huge dragon, after which from now on the Ljubljana carnival will carry the name Dragon Carnival in Ljubljana. By number of participants and length this was the biggest Ljubljana Shrovetide carnival to date. The great carnival procession set out at 11am on Saturday 18 February 2012 on Novi trg/Breg, and proceeded across Čevljarski most to Mestni trg, along Stritarjeva ulica to Prešeren Square and along Wolfova ulica to a festive conclusion in Congress Square. The carnival procession was accompanied by three extra features, with carnival masks and costumes being showcased on Ribji trg, on the steps of City Hall and on a stage in Congress Square.

The Dragon Carnival in Ljubljana included three Shrovetide segments, a children’s part, participated in mainly by primary school and kindergarten children; an ethnological part with well-known Slovenian Shrovetide costumes such as 'kurents', 'laufars', marsh dwellers called 'morostars' and others as well as organised groups of Shrovetide masqueraders.

The event organiser and contractor was the Ljubljana Puppet Theatre in partnership with Ljubljana Tourism and the City of Ljubljana.

This year’s Dragon Carnival was a milestone as it was marked by the new carnival mascot, a huge dragon, created by Trnovo primary school. Ljubljana primary schools started preparations for the carnival as long ago as last October, as their costumes were made under the tutelage of experts from Ljubljana Puppet Theatre workshops. The primary schools were at the head of the carnival procession which saw 38 organised groups and over 1,000 participants.

Make sure you don’t miss Primož Hieng’s photographic exhibition entitled ‘This foolish Shrovetide time’ which is on show on the Jakopič Promenade in Tivoli Park all the way to April.