The largest winter carnival in the world
Since the beginning of our French colony, the habitants of New France formed
a rowdy tradition of getting together just before Lent to eat, drink and
be merry. Already at this era, this intense period of revelry was designated
as the Carnival - a word of Italian origin that signifies Mardi Gras. The
tradition of celebrating at the end of January until mid-February is a custom
long in progress.
The first large winter Carnival in Quebec, the world's snow capital, took
place in 1894. The city's population was often put to the test by winter's
hardships, and brought this popular tradition to life by inventing the winter
party that warmed up the hearts of all it revellers. Interrupted by two wars,
then the economic crisis of 1929, the Carnival was sporadically resurgent
until the second half of the century. In 1954, in the context of the economical
development of the Old Capital, a group of business people re-launched the
festivities. Bonhomme was born and elected the representative of the event
that year. The first official edition of the Quebec Winter Carnival took
place in 1955. The Carnival snowballed into an undeniable manifestation for
the entire Quebec population, and was an important vehicle for tourist and
economical activity in the city.
From one winter to the next, the Carnival's programme of activities was enriched.
We have since added even more popular activities, such as winter sports,
snow sculptures, and activities based on the Quebecois folkloric lifestyle,
such as canoe and dogsled races. The Quebec Carnival is the largest winter
carnivalin the world today, and is third on the Top list of Carnivals, following
the famous carnivals in Rio and New Orleans.
