Confetti, mimosas in the hands, spangled masks on the nose, thousands of people took part in the Carnival of Paris this Sunday, February 27. After a blank year in 2021, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the parade was back, to the delight of the organizers, the association Droit à la Culture. Disguised or not, the participants strolled from Place Gambetta, in the 20th arrondissement, to Place de la République, to the rhythm of percussion or trumpets.
This year the theme was “the ancient worlds“, but not all the revelers respected it. You could see children or adults dressed up as lions, dragons, Harry Potter, unicorns, bees, Native Americans or cowboys. But who cares, “the rule is to have fun“, chants Catherine. This Parisian has been taking part in the Carnival of Paris for ten years, “always with the same desire“.
– Laurine Benjebria
Many families participated in this festive event. “We thought it was very nice to take our one and a half year old daughter, especially since there is a great sun“, underlines Luigi, an Italian disguised as a character of the same name in Mario Kart. Parents and children were accompanied by musicians and dancers who came to distill joy and atmosphere in the streets of the capital. Some children even took advantage of the parade to throw confetti on the spectators scattered on the sidewalks.
That unusual parade had the gift of cheering up the participants, happy, like Pauline to be able “don’t take yourself seriously for an afternoon“. Everyone had the war in Ukraine in mind. Estéban wanted to send a message of support, by drawing the flag of Ukraine on his cardboard castle placed on his bicycle. “I want to show my children that peace is important“, explains this Spaniard disguised as a knight.
A message of hope that also wins over simple spectators, like Marie. This Parisian expatriate in London, was back in France for the holidays and came across the carnival “by chance, after lunch“. With her friends, she applauds the musicians and dances on the sidewalk, a big smile on her lips: “People who play percussion while laughing and having fun, it’s quite communicative and it feels good given the news of the moment to see a little bit of joy, good humor and everyone together“, greets Mary.
– Laurine Benjebria
The organizers of the carnival intend to spread their good vibes on March 27, on the occasion of the Women’s Carnival. For this occasion, they invite women to “dress up as queens and men as women“, but here again the costume is not compulsory. The parade will leave from the Place du Châtelet between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., for a stroll in the Marais district.