It takes place just before Ash Wednesday. Originally these were the last days of pleasure and big food before lent. Some are very old, others were created more recently. In many towns there is a parade with floats, marching bands and groups of people who dress up.
People throw confetti at each other, dance and drink to keep warm.
A Prince is elected, he throws sweets and sometimes flowers from the top of his float. It's the time when the bells come back from Rome to their churchtowers. On their way they drop chocolate eggs and hard boiled decorated eggs in the gardens. In the morning the children go egg-hunting. For the students, easter means two weeks off.