A bunny-masked merrymaker stands in a snowy field at the XXXIII International Traditional Mask Festival in Limbazi, Latvia.
In Latvian tradition, winter starts at Mārtiņi and lasts until Meteņi. St. Martin’s Day is considered to be the last day of autumn and the beginning of winter, when bears fall asleep for hibernation. Masks worn during celebrations at this time of year are typically anthropomorphic, representing human figures.
The International Traditional Mask Festival coincides with Meteņi – signaling the beginning of spring. With the warmer days and bluer skies around the corner, It is now that zoomorphic masks begin to appear at the celebrations, representing animals such as this bunny rabbit.
Through these masks, it is believed that one can give up his physical idenity, and embrace the spirit they represent. The recurrent theme of fertility remains prevalent, as the rabbit is known for its fecund breeding and is a traditional symbol of fertility.
Additional research sources:
Celotajs.lv
