Young Slovenians march to say goodbye to winter and welcome spring

Dressed in traditional clothing made of thick sheep's wool, Denis Kokot joins the Kurent parade to chase away winter and welcome spring.

"You usually turn off all social media to enjoy this tradition," said Denis Kokot, 22, of the winter-chasing parade in the northeastern Slovenian city of Ptuj every February.

This tradition, which began in the 18th century, usually lasts for more than 10 days, from the beginning of February until Ash Wednesday, an important holiday of the Catholic year. This year, it falls on February 14.

As the bells ring, hundreds of people dressed in black and white fleece, wearing masks with horns and colorful feathers, transform into Kurent people and parade through the city of Ptuj.

"The most interesting thing is when you see children's eyes looking at you without stopping," Kokot said.

Young Slovenians like Kokot learn about the tradition from a young age. Ales Ivancic, head of the association that oversees 25 Kurent performing groups, said they “inherited the tradition from their parents and continue to pass it on to their children”, stressing that the tradition is “a bridge between the past and the future”.

People dress up during the Kurent festival in Ptuj, Slovenia on February 7. Photo: AFP — People dress up during the Kurent festival in Ptuj, Slovenia on February 7. Photo: *AFP*

Andrej Brence, ethnologist at the Ptuj city museum, explains that each village in the area has its own group of Kurent, mostly unmarried men who wear masks and symbols that are typical of their hamlet. The Kurent visit each house and are believed to bring good luck to the families that welcome them.

The Kurent tradition was on the verge of extinction decades ago. In the late 1950s, several Kurent groups in northeastern Slovenia decided to unite to preserve their culture and allow women and children to participate. In 2017, the tradition was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The 10-day event is expected to attract around 100,000 participants, including visitors from all over Slovenia and abroad. Instead of the old clothes made from leftover or recycled materials, each Kurent costume with many elaborate accessories now costs up to more than 1,700 USD.

However, wearing a costume weighing more than 30 kg to perform and parade is also a challenge for many people. "You need to endure to bring luck," said one person who transformed into Kurent.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP )

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