CSN News – Malaga Province is set for carnival fun unadulterated –

As is the case in the rest of Spain as well, Malaga is gearing up for the carnival, which is the first big festival of the year following the Three Kings. Carnival is traditionally celebrated the week prior to Ash Wednesday which marks the start of Lent. It’s a chance for people to let their hair down before Easter.

The groups of amateurs musicians are well-known for their elaborate costumes and catchy melodies. The more serious groups are those who compete in official competitions to win prizes and recognition. The most derisive are the ‘chirigotas’, whose songs will attack anyone from royalty to television personalities. ‘Murgas’, meanwhile, are groups of singers whose songs are based on current social and political events. Others include ‘coros’, ‘comparsas’ and ‘cuartetos’, which alternate between serious and pure, unadulterated humour.

There are many colourful festivals throughout the world, but there is no celebration more free-spirited than Carnival. This is a time when people can dress up in their best clothes and enjoy themselves without fear of being mocked.

Malaga city kicks off its carnival activities this weekend and continues until Sunday 2 March, when the ‘burial of the boquerón’ takes place, a tradition that consists of a parade that parodies a funeral procession and culminates with the burial or burning of a large inflatable anchovy.

The COAC semi-finals for the singing groups will take place between 16 and 19, while the grand finale will be held on Friday, 21 February at the Teatro Cervantes.

The Malaga carnival programme includes ‘carnival in your district’, which, from this weekend, presents parades and street performances in the neighbourhoods of El Perchel, Palma-Palmilla, Cruz de Humilladero, Teatinos and Ciudad Jardín, among others.

Other events will take place in Plaza de la Constitución, including the ‘battle of flowers’, the drag queen gala, performances by the musical groups, a fancy-dress competition and children’s activities.

Carnival celebrations will also take place further along the Costa del Sol, in towns like Benalmádena, whose festivities began on Monday and continue until Sunday 23 February. Tomorrow (Saturday), the main event will begin in Plaza de la Mezquita with performances from the carnival groups. A variety of other activities will be held in Pueblo.

Other carnival activities will take place in Fuengirola, which holds street performances, theatrical shows, fancy dress competitions and children’s shows in Plaza de la Constitución; while Mijas Pueblo, Las Lagunas and La Cala also present a programme of parades, costume contests and entertainment for all ages.

Marbella will participate in the fun from tomorrow (Saturday) until Saturday 8 March; while Alhaurín el Grande and Ronda will celebrate carnival from 1 until 9 March.

The websites of the respective councils provide information and schedules.