Macao in 2011. Xiamen in 2017. Ningbo in 2018. Three Chinese cities that have also experienced the “big heads” of the Nice carnival. A journey of several thousand kilometers.
Nice is exporting to China. As the 2021 edition of the Nice carnival on the theme: “The King of Animals” is set to take place from February 11 to 27, three of its younger versions had their own Chinese renditions. The first in 2011, in Macao.
Six years later, the floats landed in a Chinese port city. “I am delighted with the organization of the Nice Carnival in Xiamen this April and May. The Nice Carnival, which celebrated its 133rd edition this year, is one of the three largest and most prestigious carnivals in the world!” exclaimed Christian Estrosi that year. “The 70 million annual visitors to Xiamen will be able to discover its parades of giant floats, its big heads, its troupes from around the world, all in a folkloric atmosphere!”
As for the traditional flower battles: “They will use their own flowers of course. Carnations are grown in this region of China,” specified Rudy Salles, then deputy mayor in charge of tourism.
A twin town partnership was established between the two cities in 2014. The 4 million inhabitants were able to enjoy the three-day event.
The following year, it was the turn of the province of Ningbo to host the carnival-goers. “7.5 million residents will live at the pace of the Nice Carnival in an identical replica of the event: carnival parade and flower battles in a single staging with street art troupes, Tribune Agitator Brigade, and musical entertainment by the Nice one-man-band,” wrote the Nice tourism office in a statement.
To organize this parade, 110 tons of high-tech equipment specifically related to the carnival, 22 containers, and 250 people had to travel from Nice to Ningbo. An event labeled by the EU as it was part of the year of tourism between China and the Union.
On location, 100 million people were able to watch the opening ceremony on their television sets. Six flower battles took place for the twelve floats that made the journey. On these floats rode twelve young women: six from Nice and six from China.
