Carnival week in Mexico — event, to say which «beautiful» means to say nothing. Starting about a week before Lent (Catholic), carnival days take place in an atmosphere of colorful and noisy street parades, incessant music, dancing and fireworks.
Many people call the Mexican carnival the second Mardi Gras (the one that takes place in New Orleans).
During carnival days, many appear on the streets exclusively wearing masks, which, according to legend, are recognized as driving away evil spirits. Immediately after the end of the carnival, Lent begins, and the carnival thus represents the «last chance» to plunge into the pleasures of worldly life.
To see this delightful sight, you should go to one of the port cities. Best — in Mazatlan. More than 300 thousand people come there every year to the carnival, which puts the Mexican carnival on a par with the carnivals in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.
Various festivals and competitions are held during the last days of the carnival. For example, in Mazatlan, a national literary competition (by the way, quite prestigious) is held for unpublished works named after Climencia Isaura.
At the end of the carnival, the Queen of the carnival and (jokingly, of course) the «Scary King» are chosen.