Kotor Winter CarnivalTradicionalni zimski kotorski karneval

Kotor Winter Carnival is a centuries-old street festival held each winter in Kotor’s Old Town. Participants wear elaborate masks and costumes, staging parades, satirical performances and processions that reflect the Adriatic humor of the region 1 2. The festival includes an opening ceremony (raising the carnival flag and crowning carnival royalty), children’s masquerade balls, masquerade balls for adults, and a grand finale with a parade and the traditional “trial and burning” of the carnival figure (“krnja”) 3 4. A distinctive feature is the publication of the humorous-satirical newspaper “Karampana” on carnival day 5. The carnival atmosphere is a blend of local Boka Kotorska culture, satire and festive Venetian-inspired pageantry 1.

This custom of winter masks and street parade dates back centuries in the region, linked to pagan spring rites and local satire traditions. The modern carnival is organized with a satirical spirit (‘Karampana’ being the clown figure) and has become an ingrained part of Kotor’s identity 1 2.