Netherlands

The tradition of carnival is considered to be a cultural phenomenon. This event is celebrated in all corners of the earth today. This could be considered a high mimetic European tradition that has been oppressed on a polyphonic culture. Balkhtin
considers ‘carnivalization’ of other countries to be an “external and immobile schema which is imposed upon ready-made content… an extraordinary flexible form of artistic visualization, a peculiar sort of heuristic principle making possible the discovery of new and yet unseen things” (Shohat and Stam 43).

Carnival is a rare example of how cultures can use a similar theme to create something completely unique and original. Crowley remakes, “The very multiplicity of carnivals requires comparison, and what an unexpected picture emerges: the most astonishing characteristic of Carnival is its conservatism of form in a situation designed to maximize innovation and creativity” (218). By pointing out specific areas that celebrate this event there would be definite differences to compare and contrast.

In the Netherlands, each town will celebrate the same event but each town has their own customs and traditions. Every town has their own carnival emblem and polka song.