Editing Carnival (section)

====Slovenia====
The Slovenian name for carnival is ''pust''. The [[Slovenia]]n countryside displays a variety of disguised groups and individual characters, among which the most popular and characteristic is the Kurent (plural: ''Kurenti''), a monstrous and demon-like, but fluffy figure. The most significant festival is held in [[Ptuj]] (see: [[Kurentovanje]]). Its special feature are the Kurents themselves, magical creatures from another world, who visit major events throughout the country, trying to banish the winter and announce spring's arrival, fertility, and new life with noise and dancing. The origin of the Kurent is a mystery, and not much is known of the times, beliefs, or purposes connected with its first appearance. The origin of the name itself is obscure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurent |url=https://kurentovanje.net/eng/etnografski-liki/kurent/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Kurentovanje |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Aleš Kravos Kurentovanje Ptuj 2019.jpg|thumb|[[Kurentovanje]] in [[Ptuj]], Slovenia]]

The [[Cerknica]] Carnival is heralded by a figure called "Poganjič" carrying a whip. In the procession, organised by the "Pust society", a monstrous witch named Uršula is driven from the mountain [[Slivnica (mountain)|Slivnica]], to be burned at the stake on Ash Wednesday. Unique to this region is a group of [[dormice]], driven by the Devil and a huge fire-breathing dragon. [[Cerkno]] and its surrounding area are known for the ''Laufarji'', Carnival figures with artistically carved wooden masks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Parade of Fools in Cerknica, Slovenia |url=https://www.johnbills.com/52-places-slovenia/cerknica-carnival |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=John W Bills |language=en-US}}</ref>

The ''Maškare'' from [[Dobrepolje]] used to represent a triple character: the beautiful, the ugly (among which the most important represented by an old man, an old woman, a hunchback, and a ''Kurent''), and the noble (imitating the urban elite).{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}

The major part of the population, especially the young and children, dress up in ordinary non-ethnic costumes, going to school, work, and organized events, where prizes are given for the best and most original costumes. Costumed children sometimes go from house to house asking for treats.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}}