Next week will see colourful parades and party time throughout much of the world. On February 8 ‘Fat Tuesday’ or Mardi Gras, and even Pancake Day in Britain, is the celebration before the 40 abstemious days of Lent. Carnival Cities such as Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and New Orleans in the United States deck themselves out in glorious costumes for the dazzling parades expected of them.

Late on the eve of February 9, when Mardi Gras is winding down, celebrations start to take off for the Chinese New Year and the incoming Year of the Rooster. Colourful parades and party time will be evident in much of Asia and Chinese communities worldwide over the 15 days between the new moon and full moon. The Year of the Rooster, year 4702 by the Chinese calendar, apparently augers a bright year but one where ‘get rich quick’ schemes are doomed to disappointment.

Amidst all the party preparations, the attractively named town of Gualeguaychú in Argentina is celebrating the opening of a new casino, claiming the title of South America’s first themed casino. The theme? Carnival, of course. Gualeguaychú is already known as Argentina’s carnival capital, attracting many visitors over the season, and a natural progression was to maintain that theme throughout the year at the new casino.

It is not only the casino design and décor that is redolent of carnival time; the food and staff costumes are also themed to match. The casino boasts an extensive restaurant, tapas bar, small cinema complex, crèche, 16 tables games, 150 slot machines, 2 electronic roulettes and a stage for live performances.

In a tradition that dates to the 19th century, a mere newcomer as far as Chinese traditions go, both locals and tourists in Gualeguaychú will be able to experience the joys of the carnival all year round, as good a reason as any to celebrate. (E-02.03.05)

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