Korentovanje Festival Part ll

 The Blog Tech and I walked down the street to find the beginning of the parade.

 As we approached, we saw a horse drawn carriage coming down the main street. (Click on the pics to enlarge.) It appeared  that the horse and carriage were supposed to be part of the parade.

 But then the horse continued down the main street.

 We were not quite sure if it was part of the parade or not.

 As we got closer we could see the horse picking up speed to run down the main street to the dismay of it's two handlers.

 Then we turned the corner and saw what the horse had just seen......Kurents!

 Lots of Kurents.  That horse has seen a lot over the years being a city horse and all but it had never seen a Kurent before and it had no intentions of getting anywhere near them.  Seriously, the Kurents are scary.  They carry big clubs and run straight towards you screaming and grunting.  They are, after all, trying to scare winter away. Everywhere I looked, I saw small children crying. I think The Blog Tech might have cried a little bit. Not really, he is a big bad Blog Tech and would never cry. I just watched the March forecast for this year and I think we all might need a band of Kurents.

 The festival had a princess (think of the movie, Polish Wedding).

 Every few minutes the Kurents shake violently to play their bells.

 Hi there friendly waving Korentovanje character. 

 And then we saw something really interesting happen.  Look way down the street.

 Dancers in costume came walking to the start of the parade from all the side streets.

 They were coming from their homes.

 It looked like a Sunday with people walking to the neighborhood church.

 But they were all coming to march in the parade and dance.

 It made me want to be Slovenian.

 There were lots of ladies dressed in traditional Slovenian attire, carrying baskets filled with candy which they passed out to the children.  Apparently trying to sooth the small ones traumatized by the Kurents.

 If anyone out there is Slovenian and can enlighten me on the Korentovanje traditions, I would greatly appreciate it.  I would really like to know why Captain Hook and his wife are part of this parade.

 Get ready to shake and ring.

 The small red guy is the Korentovanje devil.  He carries a pitchfork and shakes it in your face. I kept telling them I was not a winter spirit, though you know I actually am.  Those Kurents had my number.

 The only thing scarier than a Kurent is a Cleveland Browns fan.

 Go away creepy Kurent.

 Stop shaking that bat at everyone.

 Leave that poor woman alone.

If you want to see a Korent charge The Blog Tech and hear the bells, watch the video.

Here comes the Bear Kurent.  The parade is about to start.  More tomorrow if you can stand it.