Mardi Gras Celebrated at Heights High
Feb. 25, 2018 -- Students in Madame Melha Hadjabed-Woods’ French classes celebrated Mardi Gras or Carnaval on ‘Fat’ Tuesday, February 13. Students wore festive Mardi Gras beads, hats, crowns and masks. They enjoyed Mardi Gras themed foods including éclairs, croissants, brie cheese with baguette bread and King Cake with a one-inch plastic baby figure baked into the cake.
In addition to the food, students watched a short video about the parades and other Mardi Gras history and traditions in New Orleans and danced to New Orleans style music.
“The Mardi Gras holiday is an important part of the New Orleans French-influenced culture,” said French teacher Madame Melha Hadjabed-Woods. “Many of the Mardi Gras traditions and words are based on French culture and language.”
The multi-day Carnaval festival is a common celebration in French speaking countries all around the world. Students wear costumes and parade in the streets. It celebrates the days before Lent, a season of fasting and reflection in the Christian calendar however, today, it is currently regarded as a public celebration.
This event was possible and supported by la maison française de Cleveland, a 90 years old American non-profit organization in greater Cleveland that promotes Franco-American cultural activities.
Posted: Sunday, February 25, 2018