The new edition of joy and fun, in honor of 190 years of the Republic of Fashnik, begun yesterday, February 5th when the Big Carnival Group made of Croatian and Slovenian masks gathered at the Main Square in Samobor. The parade of masked people from the entire region walked through the city’s streets to reach its central square, after which they went to the central tent where they danced the night away.
For those who don’t know, Fašnik is a carnival event held in February. The event’s name is derived from the German word Fasching, describing similar events mostly held in Austria and Bavaria. The festival has been observed for centuries, with masked people participating in public parades and celebrations to drive off the demons of darkness and winter.