The Cartagena Carnival celebrates a special event each year in which the characters who will embody Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma are officially presented , both in their adult and children's categories. This event has become one of the most emblematic moments marking the start of the Cartagena Carnival.
At this event, organized by the Cartagena Carnival Federation in conjunction with the City Council, the names of the carnival participants who will portray these iconic characters are announced. This presentation has become one of the most anticipated moments for carnival-goers, as it introduces the faces of the characters who will embody the essence of the festival throughout the celebration.
The chosen ones belong to comparsas or chirigotas with a long history within the local carnival, which reinforces the link between tradition and the carnival community.
The presentation of these characters usually takes place at a public event and in front of the media, where other important elements of the festivities are also revealed, such as the poster or some previews of the official carnival program.
Origin and meaning of the characters
Don Carnal and Doña Cuaresma are traditional figures of the carnival imaginary that represent the contrast between two moments of the festive and religious calendar.
This symbolic confrontation has its origin in medieval Spanish literature, specifically in the "Book of Good Love" by the Archpriest of Hita , where the allegorical battle between both characters is described as a representation of the passage from festive time to the period of abstinence prior to Holy Week.
The characters actively participate in various events and parades during the festivities. They lead street processions, enliven events, and embody the spirit of Carnival for the public and participants.
At the end of the carnival, the tradition culminates with the Burning of Don Carnal , a symbolic act that marks the end of the festivities and gives way to the time of Lent.
Los portales de internet del Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Cartagena únicamente utilizan cookies propias con finalidad técnica, no recaban ni ceden datos de carácter personal de los usuarios sin su conocimiento. Sin embargo, contienen enlaces a sitios web de terceros con políticas de privacidad ajenas a las de dichos portales del ayuntamiento que usted podrá decidir si acepta o no cuando acceda a ellos.