The largest winter carnival in the world
Quebec Winter Carnival is the largest event of its kind in the world and is considered the third largest carnival (any kind) after the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and from New Orleans, USA.
This real snow festival takes place every year since 1955, and the effigy of Carnival in Quebec is a snowman.
Carnival diversified program from year to year, the popular activities (snow fights, snowmen) reaching to the winter sports, snow sculptures, dog sleds racing ...
Every year, thousands of people storm the French city in Canada to attend the celebration of snow. The origins of carnival start from early colonization by the French zone.
Residents of New France were wont to meet family or between friends to enjoy pre-Lent celebration was in full and as snow in the area, it was the main attraction of the holiday.
Snow's first big carnival was organized in 1894 and his role was to cheer people after they have gone through a tough winter. By the mid twentieth century, these events were sporadic, but in 1955, with the economic development of Quebec, the event has become permanent.
Then appeared carnavalului mascot, a snowman. Thousands of people attended the inauguration event, held near the Ice Palace, built for this purpose from huge blocks of ice carving.
Chateau-Frontenac Omul snow over the keys to the city and its mayor at the time it lays festive atmosphere. A lot of shows and themed evenings outdoors, fueled with plenty of pyrotechnic effects.
One of the most anticipated events is snow sculpture section, which has since 1973 an international character.
Every year, over 50 teams from 30 countries submitted their application to participate in winter show, but only 15 are selected.
Quebec was officially founded by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1608 and is one of the oldest cities in Canada, the latter marking the 400th anniversary in 2008.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, Quebec was the center of New France, many French traders on the old continent and stopped there to buy stuff.
The town has gradually developed until 1759. Then around 4 500 soldiers, led by James Wolfe stormed the city and it fell into British hands, it became the capital of Quebec.
In 1791, a constitutional act of the Quebec province divided into: Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Quebec City will then become the capital of Lower Canada.
After being united capital of Canada, Quebec will lose that title in 1857 in favor of Ottawa. Ten years later, gets the role of capital city of Quebec Province.
Gibraltar dubbed America situated on a hill crossed the river St. Laurent, Quebec has an exceptional architectural heritage, and the city is emblematic monument Frontenac Castle.
