View source for Kurentovanje

{{Article
| status       = NEEDSUPDATE WRITING TOPROOFREAD NIFERTIK!
| maintainer   = Simon Žlahtič
}}



{{Infobox
| name                = Kurentovanje
| localname           = Kurentovanje
| logo               = Logotip kurentovanje horizontala vektorski.jpg
| image              = 
| street              = Mestni trg 4
| town                = SI-2250 Ptuj
| telephone           = 386 (0) 2 779 60 11
| email               = info@kurentovanje.net
| website             = http://www.kurentovanje.net
| organised by        = Ptuj Public Institute
| frequency = annual
| dates and duration  = February, 11 days
| duration weeks      = 6,7,8 (2012) 5,6 (2013) 6,7,8,9,10 (2014)
| festival dates      = 2.2.2015 - 17.2.2015, 2.2.2016 - 9.2.2016, 17.2.2017 - 28.2.2017, 2.2.2018 - 13.2.2018, 23.2.2019 – 5.3.2019, 15.2.2020 – 25.2.2020, 15.2.2020 – 25.2.2020, 2.2.2021 – 16.2.2021, 19.2.2022 - 1.3.2022, 11.2.2023 - 21.2.2023, 3.2.2024 - 13.2.2024
| contacts = {{Contact
| name                = 
| role                = 
| telephone           = 
| email               = 
}}{{Contact
| name                = Miha Masten
| role                = Culture Co-ordinator
| telephone           = 386 (0) 2 620 7351
| email               = miha.masten@js-ptuj.si
}}
|accounts=
http://twitter.com/kurentovanje
http://www.facebook.com/Kurentovanje
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqPTMOxBufTPf4AXsOmrppQ
}}


{{Teaser| 

{{wide image|Kurenti koranti Stanko Kozel 2023 N.jpg}}

The masked rite of spring known as [[Kurentovanje]] has been held since [[established::1960]], every February for 10 days leading up to Shrove Tuesday. It is the most popular Mardi Gras celebration in Slovenia, with most of the festivities centered in and [[Municipality of Ptuj|Ptuj, Slovenia's oldest town]], which has hosted Kurentovanje for around six decades.
The Carnival was admitted into the ''European Federation of Carnival Cities'' in 1991. In 2017, the ''Door-to-door rounds of the Kurent'' were inscribed on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Groups from Germany, Austria, Croatia, Italy, Macedonia, Romania, and Bulgaria usually participate in the event, assisting local people in building up the Land of the Kurent. The rite itself is accompanied by a full agenda of concerts, activities, and other attractions, ensuring that the event is attended by more than 100,000 visitors every year.

{{Image|Vile 11.2.2023 Otvoritvena etno povorka 2023 Stanko Kozel final.jpg}}

{{Image|Pustna ringarajanja Stanko Kozel 2023.jpg}}

{{Image|Hudič Stanko Kozel 2023.jpg}}

}}


==The origins==
The name ''Kurentovanje'' derives from the festival's central figure, the Kurent, who, in earlier times, was believed to possess the power to chase away winter and usher in spring. The origins of both the Kurent and the Kurentovanje festivities are obscure, potentially stemming from earlier Slavic, Celtic, or Illyrian customs. Similar traditions are found throughout the region, extending to parts of Croatia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, and elsewhere.
The Kurent costume is simple, consisting of a sheepskin hat and outfit, cow bells hanging from a chain belt, red or green wool socks, and black boots. However, the creation of the Kurent mask is a significant folk art in Slovenia, with only two masters of Kurent masks remaining – Master Klinc from Spuhlja and Master Zelenik from Markovci. The mask, crafted from leather, features two holes for the eyes and one for the mouth, surrounded by red paint. A trunk-like nose, whiskers made of twigs, and teeth made of white beans are attached, with the final touch being a long, red tongue.

Studies of the Kurent tradition have been conducted at [[Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum]] and [[BISTRA Scientific Research Centre, Ptuj]].


{{Image|Obhodi kurentov Stanko Kozel 2023.jpg}}

{{YouTube|TK2TXtkHTKc}}

==European Capital of Culture 2012==
Kurentovanje Festival has been included in the programme of the [[Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012]], Ptuj being one of its partner cities. The aim is to turn the festival in the largest ethno carnival in Europe. The ethnological guidelines were developed by [[Janez Bogataj]] and [[Aleš Gačnik]], two scientists who acknowledge the constant metamorphoses and transformations of this tangible heritage. 

{{Image|Ptujski prstan Kurentovanje 2023 Stanko Kozel (9).jpg}}

{{Image|Orači 2023 Stanko Kozel Mednarodna.jpg}}

{{YouTube|Cp2tVQrW49Y}}

==See also==
*[[Municipality of Ptuj]]
*[[Ptuj – Ormož Regional Museum]]
*[[BISTRA Scientific Research Centre, Ptuj]]
*[[Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012]]

==External links==
*[http://www.kurentovanje.net/en Kurentovanje Festival website] 
*[https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/door-to-door-rounds-of-kurenti-01278 The inscription on the UNESCO list]
*[http://www.ptuj.si Municipality of Ptuj]

{{Gallery}}

[[Category:Festivals]]
[[Category:Intangible heritage festivals]]
[[Category:Festivals in February]]

[[Category:Intangible heritage]]
[[Category:Maribor, European Capital of Culture 2012]]