The stands are filled to bursting, Place Masséna is crowded. Not a step can be taken without an avalanche of confetti coloring you from head to toe. Young and old are in costume, and smiles are on everyone’s faces… The Carnival has begun.
That’s when you understand why the Nice Carnival is among the most prestigious in the world. Last night, the city offered us a grand kick-off, delighting the eyes of a few thousand city dwellers. Hundreds of children were at the center of the stands under the watchful eyes of parents eager to see them dance. In front of the already packed stands, the line was long.
But once the show started, a silence settled over the whole neighborhood to admire the four dancers suspended in the air by a crane, which the lighting ensured rendered invisible. Four young women in white dresses seemed to float, with glitter bursting from all sides. Another woman in a red dress appeared and enchanted the audience with an opera song. The magic worked, everyone looked up so much that they risked getting a crick in their neck. With every burst of golden glitter, “OOOH”s and “AAAH”s rippled through all the stands.
Once the song ended, barely had the applause resounded when it was time for the children to put on their show. Three groups took turns dancing to the fiery rhythms of different music. To the already plentiful lighting were added the phones and camcorders of parents filming their children.
After the dance, it was time for the speech by the city’s Mayor, Christian Estrosi. A joy-filled speech that celebrated the gathering of the city and the beauty of the Nice Carnival, the third in the world after those of Rio and Venice, with a mention of this year’s theme, the King of the 5 continents. A broad and human theme that allowed participants to express their creativity.
Just as the speech ended, the King made his appearance and paraded in the center of the square to the city’s anthem “Nissa la Bella,” remixed for the occasion. In the pit, the battle of confetti and carnival spray cans raged. The crowd was hyper-excited, and slowly, the King of the 5 continents and his globe moved between the stands slowly enough for everyone to admire and photograph him.
And as he finally crossed the square, as the music grew softer, fireworks erupted from the other side of the square near the fountains. Jets of flames shot up from all around. A multiple-minute explosion of light worthy of a July 14th, delighting the audience.
And this is just the beginning; the festivities continue until March 6!
Learn all about the Nice Carnival: https://www.nicecarnaval.com
