All masks up! Starting this Sunday, one of the finest and funniest Split traditions began. Yes, it's a Carnival time. Or, as we in Split would say, Krnjeval (pron. something like kharnyewahl). Just like in the last few years, this year's festivities are dedicated to dance, and every street, square and venue will be a stage for all to show more or less advanced dancing skills. Don't worry, nobody will take it really seriously if you miss a beat. Wearing a mask brings freedom like no other occasion. All brakes are released these days.

People in Split like to think about themselves as something completely different, to be polite. One of the things where this is true is definitely a carnival. Don't expect any kind of those ordered parades going down the promenade. It's not something new, this anarchic spirit was even more present in the past. As I wrote once before in this blog, disorder becomes a virtue, not a flaw. Thus, it's not hard to guess why it was always so unpopular with the authorities, from church officials hundreds of years ago, to communist rulers in the 20th century. Whenever someone tried to tame it, it was a disaster. Following days will be a warm up for Fat Tuesday. And then, put on your mask and enjoy.