Carnival in Barcelona February 10, 2007

Carnival in Barcelona epitomises some of the more gluttonous aspects of traditional celebration. The time before the Lenten fast is spent indulging in the very best of soon-to-be-forbidden pleasures, and for Barcelonans this means a gargantuan feast dedicated to anything particularly fatty.

On Jueves Ladero - Fatty Thursday, a tortilla competition takes place, judged on taste, filling and presentation. Catalonians are also exceptionally qualified when it comes to spicy meats and especially sausages. Fuet and salchichón will have explosions of picante dancing on your tongue - you'll wish you had been born in Catalonia just for the pleasure of sampling them every day.

Carnival weekend sees revellers converge on the market places and streets to watch as the local carnival guilds and commercial establishments compete for the much acclaimed pimiento de oro - golden pepper. On Saturday afternoon the celebrations come to a climax with the Gran Rua de Carnaval, a colossal parade of adorned carriages and carnival groups and a snowfall of streaming confetti.

All good things must come to an end and the celebrants mark the occasion appropriately with a funeral. The king of carnival has, after all, died and taken the carnival with him. A funeral cortege of his widows and entourage, all suitably dressed in black, mourn his passing.