Masopust Nove Hrady (Carnival)

Masopust (Carnival) is a traditional festival that in the past began with the Feast of the Three Kings and ended on Ash Wednesday.

During this period, winter food supplies were running low, and spring was still far away — so people created this joyful celebration to lift their spirits.

Masopust was considered a feast of food and abundance. The main purpose was simple: to eat and enjoy before the forty-day Lent began on Ash Wednesday, leading up to Easter. The Czech word Masopust literally comes from “meat” (maso) and “fast” (půst).

The exact dates of Masopust change every year, as they depend on the calculation of Easter. The celebrations always take place forty days before Easter.

In the town of Nové Hrady, the first Masopust parade took place in 1954. The tradition was brought here from the Doudleby region by Mr. Vaclík, who, together with Mr. Machůtka, gathered a group of enthusiastic locals to bring the Masopust tradition to life.

Learn more at https://www.masopustnovehrady.cz