The town of Montlucon (03 Allier, Auvergne) between Clermont Ferrand and Bourges celebrates the local beef with a 5-day Carnival 15-19 March 2006. "“Chase away the winter and bring in the spring”: such is the scenario of the Boeuf Villé carnival, with its principal character Carmentrau (local dialect for “Lent arriving”).
Captured by children on the Wednesday, put on show for the inhabitants to see until Saturday evening, and then tried, burnt at the stake and the ashes thrown into the River Cher.
These ashes, symbols of Life, announce to the world the rebirth of Spring.
The event includes a programme of concerts, processions, visual and musical performances and fireworks, and beef cooked on the spit!!
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