Kurents in Ptuj

Sender: Copacabana

Copacabana wrote about "Kurents" and their costumes. Some are really heavy, due to the  bells weighing 50 to 60 kg.

Ptuj is a city in Eastern Slovenia on the Drava River. It is known for its historic buildings and its Kurentovanje festival. Kurentovanje is a ten day long rite of spring and fertility involving feasting, processions and caroling. The main event of Kurentovanje is the procession of traditional carnival masks and groups. Its name is derived from the "Kurent", a mythical figure who was believed to have the power  to chase away winter and usher in spring. Groups of people dressed as Kurents wear sheepskins, don masks and fur caps and hang around their waists, chains with huge bells attached to it. All that resulting noise does a great job of chasing away winter. The Kurent also wear heavy boots and special red or green leg warmers, while the head is covered by a towering furry hat festooned with ribbons, and a mask typically sporting a long, red tongue. A wooden club is normally carried in the left hand. By the end of Carnival a Kurent will have collected many handkerchiefs (given by girls & women) which he carries tied around the club.