In Croatia, bell ringers try to scare away winter and jump-start spring

Mar 2, 2014

In Croatia, bell ringers try to scare away winter and jump-start spring

Michael Gold 0 Comment World costumes, Croatia, Zvoncari

For centuries, the zvoncari (or bell ringers) of Croatia have donned animal heads and paraded through villages to frighten away the evil spirits of winter and stir up a new spring.

Given how interminable winter in Baltimore has felt this year, maybe it’s time to import the custom.

: A bell ringer, or “Zvoncari”, stands next to masks as he prepares for a parade in the village of Marcelji, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: A bell ringer, or “Zvoncari”, prepares for a parade in the village of Marcelji, Croatia, on March 2, 2014. According to traditional customs, the bell ringers would walk through different villages and create huge amounts of noise to scare away evil spirits of winter and welcome spring. Their costumes consist of white trousers and striped shirts, including a sheepskin thrown over their shoulders and a big bell tied around their waist. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, take part in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Crotia on March 2, 2014. According to traditional customs, the bell ringers would walk through different villages and create huge amounts of noise to scare away evil spirits of winter and welcome spring. Their costumes consist of white trousers and striped shirts, including a sheepskin thrown over their shoulders and a big bell tied around their waist. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, are reflected in a mirror during a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia on March 2, 2014. According to traditional customs, the bell ringers would walk through different villages and create huge amounts of noise to scare away evil spirits of winter and welcome spring. Their costumes consist of white trousers and striped shirts, including a sheepskin thrown over their shoulders and a big bell tied around their waist. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, take part in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, take part in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, walk in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, take part in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, walk in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, walk in a parade in a village near Rijeka, Croatia March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: A bell ringer, or “Zvoncari”, poses for a picture in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, gather during a parade in the village of Marcelji, Croatia, March 2, 2014. According to traditional customs, the bell ringers would walk through different villages and create huge amounts of noise to scare away evil spirits of winter and welcome spring. Their costumes consist of white trousers and striped shirts, including a sheepskin thrown over their shoulders and a big bell tied around their waist. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, are seen through a mask during a parade in the village of Marcelji, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, walk during a parade in the village of Marcelji, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

: Masks of bell ringers, or “Zvoncari”, lie on the ground in a village near Rijeka, Croatia, March 2, 2014. (Antonio Bronic/Reuters)

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