![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/037BE91F-3935-417F-A106-8D30CCDCE1C3/M2614K.jpg)
Lola. This mask was imported to the region of Transylvania in Romania by Saxoon immigrants who arrived to settle in empty lands after war with Turks. Back in Germany, they called the masked character an "Urzel". During centuries, the face became more simple, cherish, colourful and glittering. Mystical pagan characters appear in streets of European towns and villages, especially at the end of winter when spring is about to come and people need somebody who would chase the winter away. Wearing a mask is a part of identity in many communities. They preserve traditions and mysterious characters in
Lola. This mask was imported to the region of Transylvania in Romania by Saxoon immigrants who arrived to settle in empty lands after war with Turks. Back in Germany, they called the masked character an "Urzel". During centuries, the face became more simple, cherish, colourful and glittering. Mystical pagan characters appear in streets of European towns and villages, especially at the end of winter when spring is about to come and people need somebody who would chase the winter away. Wearing a mask is a part of identity in many communities. They preserve traditions and mysterious characters inherited from their fathers and grandfathers. Each has his or her own task. The traditions vary from village to village and are incredibly diverse. In Ptuj, Slovenia, each year before Shrove Wednesday, masked characters from several European countries meet to celebrate and to show rich cultural traditions. For Ptuj and surrounding villages, Kurent is the most characteristic mask. It is symbol of pagan Slavic god of hedonism.
Size: 3888px × 5184px
Photo credit: © SOPA Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: carnival, character, costume, culture, europe, lola, mask, masked, masks, mystical, pagan, ptuj, shrovetide, slovenia, tradition, transylvania