Celebrating Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras: A Look at Traditions and Events

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The celebration of Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, marks the final day of indulgence before the 40-day period of Lent begins. This year, Pancake Day will fall on March 4, giving people just a few hours to prepare their ingredients and participate in the traditional pancake-making and flipping activities. The exact date of Shrove Tuesday moves every year because it is based on a calendar calculation involving the moon.

For many people, Shrove Tuesday is a time to prepare batter, demonstrate their pancake-flipping skills, and enjoy sweet toppings. The day precedes the period of fasting and sacrifice leading up to Easter, and Christians observe this time as a period of fasting, reflecting Jesus's 40-day fast in the desert following his baptism. The name "Shrove" comes from the English word "shrive", meaning to seek forgiveness or absolution from sins. In medieval times, a "shriving bell" would be rung to call people to church to confess, and the popular link between pancakes and Shrove Tuesday dates back to the Middle Ages.

During this period, Christians were forbidden from consuming dairy products during Lent, and households needed to use up their eggs, milk, and butter before the fasting period began. The solution was to make pancakes or fritters, creating a practical tradition that continues to this day. According to English Heritage, children would traditionally go "Shroving" on Shrove Tuesday, knocking on neighbours' doors and singing a special rhyme. This door-to-door tradition was another way communities celebrated the day before Lent began. Some of the notable events and traditions surrounding Shrove Tuesday include:

• Annual pancake race in the Buckinghamshire town of Olney, which is thought to be the world's oldest of its kind
• Shrovetide football game in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, where locals divide into two teams and aim to hit a cork-filled ball through the town
• Pancake-making and flipping activities, where people can demonstrate their skills and enjoy sweet toppings

In addition to Shrove Tuesday, another significant celebration is Mardi Gras, which is a carnival that takes place before the Christian season of Lent. The 47th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade is set to attract huge crowds, and the event features a range of activities, including parades, parties, and other festivities. Some of the notable Mardi Gras events include:

• Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, which features a range of floats, performances, and other activities
• Mardi Gras cookbooks, which showcase a range of recipes and cooking traditions surrounding the celebration
• Special pride flights, which are offered by some airlines to support the LGBTIQ+ community