As usual, every Sunday I went to the mosque to help some settlers study the Dutch language, but I completely forgot that it was Carnival day. The streets were filled with carnival parades, which made it difficult for me to ride my bike. So, I got off and had to wait until I could walk through the crowds of parents and their children lining the sides. As I waited, memories of my children participating in these celebrations surfaced, as they would think about their costumes for the carnival each year. However, I never asked myself about the nature of the carnival, its secrets, and only knew some general scattered information. Life's joys didn't allow me to delve deeper. Now that it's far away from me and my children no longer enjoy participating in the carnival, I decided to look more deeply into this celebration.

That evening, I had an appointment with one of my friends and her husband for coffee. I decided to turn this meeting into a conversation about the carnival.

As usual, Denny and her husband Hank welcomed me after putting away their dogs, Borus, a German Shepherd, and Boxie. They knew I didn't like dealing with dogs, as they called me a "cat person," since I prefer cats and even own two of them. They told me that Egyptians are known globally as cat people, while the Dutch are dog people, preferring to own dogs as pets over cats. After that "cat-dog" conversation and while sipping coffee and my special mint tea, which they prepared for me Egyptian-style, I asked Hank about the carnival.

He replied: Firstly, the word carnival means a popular celebration or parade, where performances combine circus acts and traditional folk ceremonies, aiming to entertain, have fun, and spread happiness and joy among people. Another opinion says that the word carnival means abstaining from or reducing meat consumption. The carnival season begins three days before the Christian fasting period for followers of the Roman Catholic Church, where they enjoy meat and other animal products before starting their fast, which requires abstaining from meat and animal products for 40 days. Hank added: (This is considered the last chance to go crazy before committing to fasting and seriousness).

Hank continued: It is also said that the origin of carnivals was in Switzerland before Christianity arrived and was embraced. The carnival was held during the spring season, aiming to drive away evil spirits, according to their beliefs at that time. People wore various masks, and musical bands played tunes as they led the crowds. It is also said that the carnival came from a festival held for the gods Satur and Storn, in the late Roman rule, and these festivals were known for debauchery and liberation from all constraints.

And then directed the question to "Dini": Is there a difference between the carnival now and the carnival in the past?

She replied: There is definitely a difference, as in the past it had a religious origin in Roman Catholic churches, but over time the religious meaning of the celebration faded, and it became merely a celebration. Dini added: Even the nature of fasting has changed; in the past, they would only eat fish on Fridays, and the rest of the week would be a fast from all kinds of meat. The church allowed the consumption of meat on Fridays only for those who work hard, pregnant women, and children.

Children in the past did not eat sweets, but they saved their share every day, and they were allowed to eat what they saved on Sundays as a reward for their fasting throughout the week.

As time went by, the fasting and the strictness of the church and the people decreased, and fasting became about reducing the consumption of meat, eggs, dairy products, and sweets. The idea was for people to live like the poor, with no enjoyment of life for 40 days.

Preparations for the carnival begin on November 11th in clubs designated for the carnival celebrations; they prepare the floats in various shapes and forms, and they form groups. Each group represents a specific topic or idea, which could be a political idea, a political party, a famous children's story, etc. Work in these clubs is voluntary, so the floats are prepared during holidays or after official working hours, and it takes several months to prepare for the celebration.

The performances begin with traditional musical bands, followed by the floats with different shapes, ideas, and goals. The last float is the Prince's float (Prince of the Carnival), which has 11 members of the Carnival's Board of Directors. These members remain the same every year, with only the "Prince" changing annually. The Prince's float is distinguished by being the last one, where the Prince throws sweets to the children lined up on the sides. The floats before it are not allowed to do so to protect the children from running into the middle of the parade to catch the sweets, which could endanger their lives.

Dini told us, how is the Prince chosen?

Some wealthy individuals apply for the elections of the Carnival Prince, but the voting is limited to the Board of Directors, and it is done in complete secrecy. The Prince's identity is only revealed on the day of the celebration.

What motivates people to apply, and why only wealthy people or businessmen?

Businessmen apply because there is a significant benefit for them; it helps to promote their businesses, whether companies or factories. After the carnival celebrations, the Prince continues throughout the year until the next carnival, visiting public places, clubs, and hospitals. He distributes gifts to the children's department in the hospital, accompanied by the other 11 members, as well as the Carnival Princess, who is usually the Prince's wife or girlfriend. She is dressed in an expensive, long medieval-style gown, accompanied by her attendants who perform dancing shows. This gives publicity to his company or factory throughout the year. It is required that the Prince be wealthy, as he has to buy the Prince's coat himself, which costs 2,000 Euros.