romikgosai/squad_modified huggingface dataset:
Some Belgian cities hold Carnivals during Lent. One of the best-known is Stavelot, where the Carnival de la Laetare takes place on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent. The participants include the Blancs-Moussis, who dress in white, carry long red noses and parade through town attacking bystanders with confetti and dried pig bladders. The town of Halle also celebrates on Laetare Sunday. Belgium's oldest parade is the Carnival Parade of Maaseik, also held on Laetare Sunday, which originated in 1865.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What do some Belgian cities hold during Lent?
A: Carnivals', '
Q: What Carnival takes place on Laetare Sunday?
A: the Carnival de la Laetare', '
Q: What group of participants attack bystanders with confetti and dried pig bladders?
A: Blancs-Moussis', '
Q: What day does the town of Halle engage in its celebration?
A: Laetare Sunday', "
Q: What's the name of Belgium's oldest parade? 
A: Carnival Parade of Maaseik"]
Many towns in Croatia's Kvarner region (and in other parts of the country) observe the Carnival period, incorporating local traditions and celebrating local culture. Just before the end of Carnival, every Kvarner town burns a man-like doll called a "Jure Piškanac", who is blamed for all the strife of the previous year. The Zvončari, or bell-ringers, wear bells and large head regalia representing their areas of origin (for example, those from Halubje wear regalia in the shape of animal heads). The traditional Carnival food is fritule, a pastry. This festival can also be called Poklade.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Many towns in what region of Croatia observe the Carnival period?
A: Kvarner', '
Q: What does every Kvarner town burn just before the end of the Carnival?
A: a man-like doll', '
Q: Who is blamed for all the strife of the previous year?
A: Jure Piškanac', '
Q: What does the head regalia of the bell-ringers represent?
A: their areas of origin', '
Q: What is the traditional Carnival food?
A: fritule']
Carnival has been celebrated for centuries. The tradition was likely established under Venetian rule around the 16th century. It may have been influenced by Greek traditions, such as festivities for deities such as Dionysus. The celebration originally involved dressing in costumes and holding masked balls or visiting friends. In the twentieth century it became an organized event held during the 10 days preceding Lent (according to the Greek Orthodox calendar). The festival is celebrated almost exclusively in the city of Limassol.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: How long has Carnival been celebrated?
A: centuries', '
Q: Under whose rule was Carnival established in the 16th century?
A: Venetian', '
Q: Dionysus was a deity in whose tradition? 
A: Greek', '
Q: In what century did the Carnival become an organized event?
A: twentieth', '
Q: What city almost exclusively celebrates the Carnival?
A: Limassol']
Three main parades take place during Carnival. The first is held on the first day, during which the "Carnival King" (either a person in costume or an effigy) rides through the city on his carriage. The second is held on the first Sunday of the festival and the participants are mainly children. The third and largest takes place on the last day of Carnival and involves hundreds of people walking in costume along the town's longest avenue. The latter two parades are open to anyone who wishes to participate.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: How many parades take place during Carnival?
A: Three', '
Q: Who rides through the city on a carriage?
A: the "Carnival King', '
Q: Which of the festivals is comprised of participants who are mainly children?
A: The second', "
Q: What do people walk along the town's longest avenue in?
A: costume", '
Q: Who are the last two parades open for participation by?
A: anyone who wishes to participate']
In Norway, students having seen celebrations in Paris introduced Carnival processions, masked balls and Carnival balls to Christiana in the 1840s and 1850s. From 1863, the artist federation kunstnerforeningen held annual Carnival balls in the old Freemasons lodge, which inspired Johan Svendsens compositions "Norsk Kunstnerkarneval" and "Karneval in Paris". The following year, Svendsens Festpolonaise was written for the opening procession. Edvard Grieg attended and wrote "aus dem Karneval" (folkelivsbilleder Op. 19). Since 1988, the student organization Tårnseilerne has produced annual masquerade balls in Oslo, with masks, costumes and processions after attending an opera performance. The Carnival season also includes Fastelavens søndag (with cream buns) and fastelavensris with decorated branches.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Where did students in Norway originally see the celebrations?
A: Paris', '
Q: Where did the artist federation hold their annual balls?
A: in the old Freemasons lodge', '
Q: Who composed the song "Karneval in Paris"?
A: Johan Svendsens', '
Q: What organization has produced annual masquerade balls in Oslo since 1988?
A: Tårnseilerne', '
Q: When do the processions occur after?
A: an opera performance']
The "Rheinische" Carnival is held in the west of Germany, mainly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia or Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rhineland Palatinate or Rheinland-Pfalz, but also in Hessen [including Oberhessen], Bavaria and other states. Some cities are more famous for celebrations such as parades and costume balls. Köln or Cologne Carnival, as well as Mainz and Düsseldorf are the largest and most famous. Other cities have their own, often less well-known celebrations, parades and parties such as Worms am Rhein, Speyer, Kaiserslautern, Frankfurt, Darmstadt, Mannheim, Ludwigshafen, Stuttgart, Augsburg and München [Munich] Nürnberg. On Carnival Thursday (called "Old Women Day" or "The Women's Day") in commemoration of an 1824 revolt by washer-women, women storm city halls, cut men's ties, and are allowed to kiss any passing man.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Which Carnival is held in Germany\'s west?
A: The "Rheinische"', '
Q: Cologne Carnival is one of the largest Carnivals and also is the most what?
A: famous', '
Q: What is colloquially known as Old Women Day?
A: Nürnberg. On Carnival Thursday', '
Q: Who revolted in 1824?
A: washer-women', '
Q: What are the women who stormy city halls allowed to do to any passing man?
A: kiss']
In Greece Carnival is also known as the Apokriés (Greek: Αποκριές, "saying goodbye to meat"), or the season of the "Opening of the Triodion", so named after the liturgical book used by the church from then until Holy Week. One of the season's high points is Tsiknopempti, when celebrants enjoy roast beef dinners; the ritual is repeated the following Sunday. The following week, the last before Lent, is called Tyrinē (Greek: Τυρινή, "cheese [week]") because meat is forbidden, although dairy products are not. Lent begins on "Clean Monday", the day after "Cheese Sunday". Throughout the Carnival season, people disguise themselves as maskarádes ("masqueraders") and engage in pranks and revelry.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What is the Greece Carnival also called?
A: the Apokriés', '
Q: What does the Opening of the Triodion derive from?
A: the liturgical book used by the church', "
Q: What is one of the festival season's high points?
A: Tsiknopempti", "
Q: What types of dinners do people enjoy during the season's high point?
A: roast beef", "
Q: What do people engage in after they've disguised themselves?
A: pranks and revelry"]
Other regions host festivities of smaller extent, focused on the reenactment of traditional carnevalic customs, such as Tyrnavos (Thessaly), Kozani (West Macedonia), Rethymno (Crete) and in Xanthi (East Macedonia and Thrace). Tyrnavos holds an annual Phallus festival, a traditional "phallkloric" event in which giant, gaudily painted effigies of phalluses made of papier maché are paraded, and which women are asked to touch or kiss. Their reward for so doing is a shot of the famous local tsipouro alcohol spirit. Every year, from 1 to 8 January, mostly in regions of Western Macedonia, Carnival fiestas and festivals erupt. The best known is the Kastorian Carnival or "Ragoutsaria" (Gr. "Ραγκουτσάρια") [tags: Kastoria, Kastorian Carnival, Ragoutsaria, Ραγκουτσαρια, Καστοριά]. It takes place from 6 to 8 January with mass participation serenaded by brass bands, pipises, Macedonian and grand casa drums. It is an ancient celebration of nature's rebirth (fiestas for Dionysus (Dionysia) and Kronos (Saturnalia)), which ends the third day in a dance in the medieval square Ntoltso where the bands play at the same time.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Who holds an annual Phallus festival?
A: Tyrnavos', '
Q: What are the giant, gaudily painted effigies of phalluses made of?
A: papier maché', '
Q: What are women rewarded with for kissing the giant phalluses?
A: a shot of the famous local tsipouro alcohol spirit', "
Q: What is the ancient celebration for?
A: nature's rebirth", '
Q: In what square do the bands all play at once?
A: Ntoltso']
Carnival in the Netherlands is called Carnaval, Vastenavond or Vastelaovend(j), and is most celebrated in traditionally Catholic regions, mainly the southern provinces North Brabant and Limburg. Dutch Carnaval is officially celebrated on the Sunday through Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday. Although traditions vary from town to town, some common characteristics of Dutch Carnaval include a parade, a "prince" plus cortège ("Jester/adjutant and Council of 11"), a Peasant Wedding (boerenbruiloft), and eating herring (haring happen) on Ash Wednesday.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: In what provinces is the Carnival mainly celebrated in the Netherlands?
A: southern', '
Q: Dutch Carnaval is celebrated until which Wednesday?
A: Ash', '
Q: What vary from town to town in regards to the Carnival?
A: traditions', '
Q: What is consumed on Ash Wednesday?
A: herring', '
Q: What is dutch for "Peasant Wedding"?
A: boerenbruiloft']
The Strumica Carnival (Macedonian: Струмички Карневал, translated Strumichki Karneval) has been held since at least 1670, when the Turkish author Evlija Chelebija wrote while staying there, "I came into a town located in the foothills of a high hillock and what I saw that night was masked people running house–to–house, with laughter, scream and song." The Carnival took an organized form in 1991; in 1994, Strumica became a member of FECC and in 1998 hosted the XVIII International Congress of Carnival Cities. The Strumica Carnival opens on a Saturday night at a masked ball where the Prince and Princess are chosen; the main Carnival night is on Tuesday, when masked participants (including groups from abroad) compete in various subjects. As of 2000, the Festival of Caricatures and Aphorisms has been held as part of Strumica's Carnival celebrations.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: How long has the Strumica Carnival been going on?
A: since at least 1670', '
Q: What nationality was Evlija Chelebija?
A: Turkish', '
Q: Who ran from house to house, laughing, screaming, and singing?
A: masked people', '
Q: What day is the main Carnival Night observed on?
A: Tuesday', "
Q: What year was the Festival of Caricatures and Aphorisms added to Strumica's Carnival celebrations?
A: 2000"]
The Slovenian countryside displays a variety of disguised groups and individual characters among which the most popular and characteristic is the Kurent (plural: Kurenti), a monstrous and demon-like, but fluffy figure. The most significant festival is held in Ptuj (see: Kurentovanje). Its special feature are the Kurents themselves, magical creatures from another world, who visit major events throughout the country, trying to banish the winter and announce spring's arrival, fertility, and new life with noise and dancing. The origin of the Kurent is a mystery, and not much is known of the times, beliefs, or purposes connected with its first appearance. The origin of the name itself is obscure.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What countryside has multiple groups and individuals in disguise?
A: Slovenian', '
Q: Kurent is monstrous and demon-like, but also what?
A: fluffy', '
Q: Where is the most significant Slovenian festival held?
A: Ptuj', '
Q: Who are magical creatures from another world?
A: the Kurents', '
Q: What do the Kurents try to banish?
A: winter']
The most famous groups are the chirigotas, choirs and comparsas. The chirigotas are well known witty, satiric popular groups who sing about politics, new times and household topics, wearing the same costume, which they prepare for the whole year. The Choirs (coros) are wider groups that go on open carts through the streets singing with an orchestra of guitars and lutes. Their signature piece is the "Carnival Tango", alternating comical and serious repertory. The comparsas are the serious counterpart of the chirigota in Cádiz, and the poetic lyrics and the criticism are their main ingredients. They have a more elaborated polyphony that is easily recognizable by the typical countertenor voice.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: The chirigotas, choirs and comparsas are the most famous of what?
A: groups', '
Q: What do the chirigotas sing about?
A: politics, new times and household topics', '
Q: How long does it take for a chirigota to prepare their costume?
A: the whole year', '
Q: Which group rides around in open carts through the streets?
A: The Choirs', '
Q: Who has the most elaborated polyphony?
A: The comparsas']
In Catalonia people dress in masks and costume (often in themed groups) and organize a week-long series of parties, pranks, outlandish activities such as bed races, street dramas satirizing public figures and raucous processions to welcome the arrival of Sa Majestat el Rei Carnestoltes (His Majesty King Carnival), known by various titles, including el Rei dels poca-soltes (King of the Crackpots), Princep etern de Cornudella (Eternal Prince of Cuckoldry), Duc de ximples i corrumputs (Duke of Fools and the Corrupt), Marquès de la bona mamella (Marquis of the lovely breast), Comte de tots els barruts (Count of the Insolent), Baró de les Calaverades (Baron of Nocturnal Debaucheries), and Senyor de l'alt Plàtan florit, dels barraquers i gamberrades i artista d'honor dalt del llit (Lord of the Tall Banana in Bloom, of the Voyeurs and Punks and the Artist of Honor upon the Bed).

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Where do people dress in masks and costume?
A: Catalonia', '
Q: What are raced as part of the festivities? 
A: bed', '
Q: What is Cantalonian for Eternal Prince of Cuckoldry?
A: Princep etern de Cornudella', '
Q: Who has a lovely breast?
A: Marquès', '
Q: Who is upon the bed?
A: the Artist of Honor']
The King presides over a period of misrule in which conventional social rules may be broken and reckless behavior is encouraged. Festivities are held in the open air, beginning with a cercavila, a ritual procession throughout the town to call everyone to attend. Rues of masked revelers dance alongside. On Thursday Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday) is celebrated, also called 'omelette day' (el dia de la truita), coques (de llardons, butifarra d'ou, butifarra) and omelettes are eaten. The festivities end on Ash Wednesday with elaborate funeral rituals marking the death of King Carnival, who is typically burned on a pyre in what is called the burial of the sardine (enterrament de la sardina), or, in Vilanova, as l'enterro.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: Who oversees the period of reckless behavior?
A: The King', '
Q: What is the ritual procession through the town to call everyone to attendance called?
A: cercavila', '
Q: Fat Thursday is also known as what day?
A: omelette day', '
Q: Who is typically burned on a pyre?
A: King Carnival', '
Q: When may conventional social rules be broken?
A: a period of misrule']
The Carnival of Vilanova i la Geltrú has documented history from 1790 and is one of the richest in the variety of its acts and rituals. It adopts an ancient style in which satire, the grotesque body (particularly cross-dressing and displays of exaggerated bellies, noses and phalli) and above all, active participation are valued over glamorous, media-friendly spectacles that Vilanovins mock as "thighs and feathers". It is best known for Les Comparses (held on Sunday), a tumultuous dance in which 12,000 or more dancers organized into rival groups throw 75 tons of hard candies at one other. The women protect their faces with Mantons de Manila (Manila shawls) but eye-patches and slings for broken arms are common the following week. Vilanovins organize an elaborate ritual for the arrival of King Carnival called l'Arrivo that changes every year. It includes a raucous procession of floats and dancers lampooning current events or public figures and a bitingly satiric sermon (el sermo) delivered by the King himself. On Dijous Gras, Vilanovin children are excused from school to participate in the Merengada, a day-long scene of eating and fighting with sticky, sweet meringue.

Questions and answers:
["
Q: What city's carnival has documented history from 1790?
A: Vilanova i la Geltrú", '
Q: What do the Vilanovins mock the media friendly Carnivals as being about?
A: "thighs and feathers"', '
Q: In what dance do the participants lob more than 75 tons of hard candy at each other?
A: Les Comparses', '
Q: What do dancers lampoon in the ritual heralding the coming of King Carnival?
A: current events or public figures', "
Q: What's the name of the day-long agenda of eating and fighting with meringue?
A: Merengada"]
Adults have a meringue battle at midnight at the historic Plaça de les Cols. In the mysterious sortida del Moixo Foguer (the outing of Little-Bird-Bonfire) accompanied by the Xerraire (jabberer) who insults the crowd. In the King's precession he and his concubines scandalize the town with their sexual behavior. A correfoc (fire run) or Devil's dance (Ball de diables, features dancing youth amid the sparks and explosions of the ritual crew of devils. Other items includes bed races in the streets, the debauched Nit dels Mascarots, Karaoke sausage roasts, xatonades, the children's party, Vidalet, the last night of revelry, Vidalot, the talking-dance of the Mismatched Couples (Ball de Malcasats) and the children's King Caramel whose massive belly, long nose and sausage-like hair hint at his insatiable appetites.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What sort of battle do the adults have at midnight?
A: meringue', '
Q: Who throws insults at the crowd?
A: the Xerraire', '
Q: What behavior scandalizes the town?
A: sexual', '
Q: Who creates sparks and explosions?
A: ritual crew of devils', "
Q: Who is the children's King?
A: Caramel"]
For the King's funeral, people dress in elaborate mourning costume, many of them cross-dressing men who carry bouquets of phallic vegetables. In the funeral house, the body of the King is surrounded by an honor guard and weeping concubines, crying over the loss of sexual pleasure brought about by his death. The King's body is carried to the Plaça de la Vila where a satiric eulogy is delivered while the townspeople eat salty grilled sardines with bread and wine, suggesting the symbolic cannibalism of the communion ritual. Finally, amid rockets and explosions, the King's body is burned in a massive pyre.

Questions and answers:
["
Q: What do people dress in for the King's funeral?
A: elaborate mourning costume", '
Q: Who carries floral arrangements of penis-like veggies?
A: cross-dressing men', '
Q: Who weeps around the body of the King?
A: concubines', '
Q: What type of eulogy is provided for the King?
A: satiric', '
Q: What ritual suggests symbolic cannibalism?
A: communion']
Carnaval de Solsona takes place in Solsona, Lleida. It is one of the longest; free events in the streets, and nightly concerts run for more than a week. The Carnival is known for a legend that explains how a donkey was hung at the tower bell − because the animal wanted to eat grass that grew on the top of the tower. To celebrate this legend, locals hang a stuffed donkey at the tower that "pisses" above the excited crowd using a water pump. This event is the most important and takes place on Saturday night. For this reason, the inhabitants are called "matarrucs" ("donkey killers").

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What is one of the longest free events in the streets?
A: Carnaval de Solsona', '
Q: How long can the nightly concerts run for?
A: more than a week', '
Q: What was a donkey hung from according to local legend?
A: the tower bell', '
Q: How does the donkey piss on the crowd below?
A: water pump', '
Q: What does "matarrucs" mean?
A: donkey killers']
Tarragona has one of the region's most complete ritual sequences. The events start with the building of a huge barrel and ends with its burning with the effigies of the King and Queen. On Saturday, the main parade takes place with masked groups, zoomorphic figures, music and percussion bands, and groups with fireworks (the devils, the dragon, the ox, the female dragon). Carnival groups stand out for their clothes full of elegance, showing brilliant examples of fabric crafts, at the Saturday and Sunday parades. About 5,000 people are members of the parade groups.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What do the events of Tarragona start with?
A: building of a huge barrel', '
Q: On what day does the main parade take place?
A: Saturday', '
Q: What are the clothing of the Carnival groups full of?
A: elegance', '
Q: Who has one of the most complete ritual agendas?
A: Tarragona', '
Q: About how many people are members of the various parade groups?
A: 5,000']
Carnival means weeks of events that bring colourfully decorated floats, contagiously throbbing music, luxuriously costumed groups of celebrants of all ages, King and Queen elections, electrifying jump-ups and torchlight parades, the Jouvert morning: the Children's Parades and finally the Grand Parade. Aruba's biggest celebration is a month-long affair consisting of festive "jump-ups" (street parades), spectacular parades and creative contests. Music and flamboyant costumes play a central role, from the Queen elections to the Grand Parade. Street parades continue in various districts throughout the month, with brass band, steel drum and roadmarch tunes. On the evening before Lent, Carnival ends with the symbolic burning of King Momo.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What contagiously throbs during the week of events?
A: music', "
Q: How long does Aruba's biggest celebration last?
A: a month", '
Q: What type of costumes play a central role in the Queen elections?
A: flamboyant', '
Q: What continues in various districts throughout the month of the Carnival?
A: Street parades', '
Q: When is King Mom symbolically burnt?
A: On the evening before Lent']
Carnival is known as Crop Over and is Barbados's biggest festival. Its early beginnings were on the sugar cane plantations during the colonial period. Crop over began in 1688, and featured singing, dancing and accompaniment by shak-shak, banjo, triangle, fiddle, guitar, bottles filled with water and bones. Other traditions included climbing a greased pole, feasting and drinking competitions. Originally signaling the end of the yearly cane harvest, it evolved into a national festival. In the late 20th century, Crop Over began to closely mirror the Trinidad Carnival. Beginning in June, Crop Over runs until the first Monday in August when it culminates in the finale, The Grand Kadooment.

Questions and answers:
['
Q: What is the Carnival known as in Barbados?
A: Crop Over', '
Q: Where did the festival in Barbados originate from?
A: sugar cane plantations', '
Q: What year did Crop Over begin?
A: 1688', '
Q: What activity is done using a greased pole?
A: climbing', '
Q: What is the finale of Crop Over called?
A: The Grand Kadooment']