For the seventh year in a row, we continue with the carnival exhibitions and this year we will present the Mozirje Carnival, a traditional Shrovetide Carnival custom from Mozirje.

The first known mention of Mozirje Shrovetide festivities dates back to 1921, when the chronicler Žiga Laykauf reported that the people of the market town of Mozirje had been engaging in carnival frolics in the town and its outskirts for thirty years. According to this oldest known written source on Mozirje pustnaki they were active already around 1891.

Organizing carnival parties, a children’s masquerade and an international carnival, the Pust Mozirski (Mozirje Carnival) Society plays a vital role during the carnival time, performing the customs such as okol'ofiranje*, the handover of municipal power, the burial of the Carnival effigy, and others. The carnival programme has changed through the years, adapting to new circumstances and growing with new contents.

The pustnaki of Mozirje are recognised for their attire, which is the same for every member: a big hat or a black top hat, a tailcoat, and white trousers (except on Ash Wednesday, when they put on black trousers). Impersonating the market town’s gentry, the gentlefolk’s apparel has been their signature feature since the 1930s. Until then, they had worn different, not necessarily uniform costumes (after WWII they have even been reported to wear pyjamas on an occasion or two).

Leading the carnival procession is always the pustnak wearing a ‘fana’ or banner, followed by two members wearing a rajsa, i.e. a large sieve through which they have “sifted” the juicy details about the town’s eminent citizens. Walking behind them in the company of other pustnaki is the Boj se ga (Fear it) ensemble playing its loud music.

The ensemble got its name in the 1950s, when its musically inept members played music that sounded like noise to the ear of their listeners. Today, the members of the ensemble are trained musicians.

The Mozirje pustnaki begin their Carnival preparations on St. Martin’s Day, on 11 November at 11:11 am, when they announce the Carnival programme for the coming year. Fat Thursday is when pustnaki confer market rights on the most deserving newcomer to Mozirje.

On Shrovetide Saturday, the Mozirje pustnaki set off on a round of the market town’s borders.

Shrovetide Monday is time for okol'ofiranje, when pustnaki and their ensemble spread goodwill from house to house, collecting gifts across Mozirje. They pass good wishes to the locals, poke fun at something that happened in the past, and invite everyone to the international carnival. With the Boj se ga ensemble by their side, they are heard far and wide. Shrove Tuesday is the culmination of the Carnival. After the morning wake up call, the Mozirje pustnaki make their way to the Mozirje town hall. The Carnival mayor, who is about to take over the power for a day from the current mayor, announces his programme. Pustnaki then set off to visit the local companies, kindergartens and schools, spreading the word about their local carnival customs. Carnival groups from Slovenia and beyond join in the international Carnival parade that takes place on the streets of Mozirje in the afternoon. In the evening, the Carnival continues in the event venue, where the ensemble is playing. Come midnight, Ash Wednesday takes place. The Carnival has met its end, but the party continues into the wee hours.

The Carnival in Mozirje ends on Ash Wednesday, when the Carnival effigy is laid on the bier in the centre of Mozirje. The funeral takes place in the afternoon, and is attended by the local people and pustnaki. The carnival effigy is taken to Pekove Lave (a local meadow) and set on fire. When they return to the square, they have post burial feast with pretzels, mustard, beer, and wine.

Author and curator of the Exhibition: mag. Adela Pukl
Professional collaborators of the Exhibition: Marko Presečnik, mag. Anja Jerin, Robert Klemenak, Danilo Mrevlje, Miha Špiček, Blaž Verbič, Jože Vodeb

Exhibition prepared by the Slovene Ethnographic Museum, 2025