Karnaval Season Explodes On the Island of Curacao.WILLEMSTAD, Curacao -- The island of Curacao is gearing up for a celebration unlike any other around the Caribbean. The year's biggest festival, Karnaval, will begin January 2nd, 2008, engulfing the island with local dance, costumes, food and entertainment. Karnaval builds to its zenith with the Grand Parade on February 3rdand culminates with the Grand Farewell Parade on February 5th. From its origins as a jubilant street celebration among slaves, Curacao's Karnaval has evolved into a month-long cultural mash-up conjunction of colorful Dutch, Asiatic, Creole and Caribbean traditions. Curacao's native music -- an afro-caribbean-latin hybrid called Tumba -- provides the official soundtrack to Karnaval, and becomes the playing ground for musical competitions held throughout the island. "Karnaval is a pure celebration of our culture," stated Eugene Rhuggenaath, Commissioner of Economic Affairs and Tourism. "The energy builds throughout the month to a glorious eruption of joy during the Grand Parade." The festival season runs from early January, and quickly heats up with the election of the Karnaval Queen, Prince and Pancho in a talent competition. What follows are days of "jump-ins" (indoor parties) and "jump-ups" (outdoor parties), including the four day Tumba music festival where bands vie to have their song chosen as the official parade anthem. Kids and teens get a chance to celebrate their own Karnaval elections and Tumba tournaments, too. As forts, clubs, restaurants and bars burst to life with the Karnaval spirit, Karnaval groups meet in secrecy to finalize dazzling, elaborate costumes for the Grand Parade. With costumes that can cost over $1,000 and team names like "The Jumping Heads" and "Crazy Diamonds," these groups travel the Parade Route vying for the honor of best dressed. The grand finale of Karnaval literally explodes onto the scene as King Momo -- a giant effigy EFFIGY, crim. law. The figure or representation of a person. 2. To make the effigy of a person with an intent to make him the object of ridicule, is a libel. (q.v.) Hawk. b. 1, c. 7 3, s. 2 14 East, 227; 2 Chit. Cr. Law, 866. 3. stuffed with fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to -- is ritually set aflame Verb 1. set aflame - set fire to; cause to start burning; "Lightening set fire to the forest" set ablaze, set afire, set on fire combust, burn - cause to burn or combust; "The sun burned off the fog"; "We combust coal and other fossil fuels" after dark. With its pristine diving locations This article identifies popular recreational diving sites around the world and describes the features of a dive site. Bodies of water for diving Most bodies of water can be used as dive sites: v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. world-class fishing, Curacao offers something for everyone - from the adventure traveler to those who simply want to unwind and enjoy its perfect climate. Curacao is located in the outer fringes of the hurricane belt The hurricane belt is an area in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, which is prone to hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season. The only places in the Caribbean that are not in the hurricane belt are the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, Bonaire, and boasts an eclectic mix of history and culture, which welcomes people to this unique island paradise. American Airlines American Airlines Major U.S. airline. American was created through a merger of several smaller U.S. airlines and incorporated in 1934. It continued to buy the routes of other airlines, becoming an international carrier in the 1970s; its routes include South America, the offers daily flights to Curacao through Miami. Continental Airlines provides non-stop weekly service to Curacao through Newark. Beginning December 22, Delta Airlines will offer weekly Saturday service to Curacao from Atlanta. For more information about Curacao or to receive a free destination DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. contact 1-800-3-CURACAO (1-800-328-7222), or visit www.curacao.com. |
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