Carnival Time for old and young in Catus – 2013

The 7th of March was the third Thursday in Lent (called la mi-carême in France) and carnival time. This year a carnival was organised for residents from the local retirement home (EHPAD - établissement d'hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes) with the help of volunteers and children from the local school. The elderly EHPAD residents had made masks for the occasion and the children wore fancy-dress costumes, playing musical instruments as they paraded around the village and gathered in la halle (the recently restored covered market). Luckily on this winter’s day the sun was shinning and it was quite mild. It was such a treat for the elderly; some of them not having the opportunity to go outside often in the winter months. What a pleasing sight to see the young and old enjoying themselves together!

(A selection of photos by Robert Blaty)