Shrove Tuesday (Christian) – This is the day before Lent. Taken from the old word “shrive”, it means forgiveness. Traditionally it was a time to give up meat and dairy foods.
Pancake Day (UK) – Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French which means Fat Tuesday) is the last day before the beginning of Lent. Strict Christian Lenten rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up their supplies of eggs, milk, butter and other fats. Pancake races are held in many parts of England.
Carnaval Parade (Brazil, Chile, Spain) – A two-day celebration before Ash Wednesday. It is called the Mardi Gras in Brazil
Source: www.multiculturalcalendars.com
Part of a posting series on multicultural events for 2009.
Filed under: Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion
