Carnival

Carnival (see other spellings and names) is a Christian festive season that occurs before the Christian season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typically involves a public celebration and/or parade combining some elements of a circus, masks and public street party. People wear masks and costumes during many such celebrations, allowing them to lose their everyday individuality and join a social collective. The celebrations have long been associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Other common features of carnival include mock battles such as food fights; social satire and mockery of authorities; the grotesque body displaying hybridized or exaggerated features such as large noses, bellies, mouths, and phalli or elements of animal bodies; abusive language and degrading acts; depictions of disease and gleeful death; and a general reversal of everyday rules and norms.

The term Carnival is traditionally used in areas with a large Catholic presence. However, the Philippines, a predominantly Roman Catholic country, does not celebrate Carnival anymore since the dissolution of the Manila Carnival after 1939, the last carnival in the country. In historically Lutheran countries, the celebration is known as Fastelavn, and in areas with a high concentration of Anglicans and Methodists, pre-Lenten celebrations, along with penitential observances, occur on Shrove Tuesday. In Eastern Orthodox nations, Maslenitsa is celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. In German-speaking Europe and the Netherlands, the Carnival season traditionally opens on 11/11 (often at 11:11 a.m.). This dates back to celebrations before the Advent season or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin's Day.

La Vida Es Un Carnaval

"La Vida Es Un Carnaval" (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈβiða es uŋ karnaˈβal]) is a song performed by Cuban recording artist Celia Cruz. The song was written by herself along with Sergio George and Victor Daniel, produced by George and released as the lead single from Cruz's studio album Mi Vida Es Cantar (1998). The song won the award for Tropical Song of the Year at the 2003 Lo Nuestro Awards.

It has become one of Cruz's most popular songs, leading to the song being covered by several artists, including salsa singers Victor Manuelle and La India as well as reggaetón singers Ivy Queen, Nicky Jam and Mikey Perfecto, among others.

This song was featured in the 2000 Mexican film, Amores perros.

Cover versions

It was covered by reggaetón singer Mikey Perfecto on his second studio album Evolución Arrestada in 2004. The song featured guest vocals performed by Joel Dando Tra. The song combines merengue and reggaetón music and has a duración of two minutes and fifty-three seconds. It contains a verse written by Perfecto himself. Perfecto chose to cover the song because he listed Cruz as one of his many musical influences on the preceding interlude track of the album. That same year, fellow reggaetón singer Nicky Jam also covered "La Vida Es Un Carnaval". Puerto Rican singer Víctor Manuelle performed a live version of the song which was included on the live album Victor Manuelle en Vivo: Desde el Carnegie Hall. This version peaked at number 14 on the Tropical Songs chart. The song was covered by the Queen of Reggaetón, Ivy Queen on her ninth studio album Vendetta in 2014. American entertainer Jennifer Lopez performed the song live as part the tribute to Cruz during the American Music Awards of 2013.