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Velvet Carnival 2017

The Velvet Carnival is gearing up to stir up the creative energy of the people of Prague into a carnivalesque parade. Celebrating the day of our struggle for freedom and democracy, November 17th, actively and with a sense of humor. Sixth edition!

  • Carnival 2016: Noses to have last coal-less breath

  • Carnival 2016: Part of Schlauchband

  • Carnival 2016: The Golden Panda idol

  • Carnival 2016: Princess Libuše, Czech lion, Zeman

  • Carnival 2016: Barometer of Fear

  • Carnival 2016: Bezobalu in plastic packaging

  • Logo Badges of 2014 edition

EUR 2,683
pledged of EUR 2,624

102%

102% completed

122 contributors pledged

Community, Art

Prague, Czechia

All or nothing. Project finished on Nov 3, 2017 at 10:52.

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This is not a duck

Well, is it a duck or not? Can anyone today still tell what is meant in earnest or not? What is information, disinformation? What is satire, and what is cruel reality which just comes off like some bad joke? Such powers of discernment need cultivating, the critical spirit needs nourishing. One can’t pounce on every juicy morsel, because each bite might bite back.

What it is

Help us bake up what we started kneading up six years back, help us cook up a new tradition. We want to pull off yet another year of the satirical parade of the Velvet Celebration, taking place on the 17th of November, and just like previous years, we aim to humorously bring to the table contemporary social issues through the eyes of those bent on doing something about them. Again it will be citizen initiatives taking part in the parade, those the likes of which are, right now as you read this, working together with artists preparing masks of larger than life proportions, allegorical machinations, and literature. Escorted by the sounds of live music, we’ll parade through the city center to point out to all and sundry that which should afflict us all but all year is all left to individual associations and non-profits to worry about, and we’ll do in all seriousness. They’re not the ones who unleash the ducks; who stuff our mouths with their baloney, who quack our heads off with half-baked truths or outright lies. They do what has to be done. And we want to point out with this one-day carnivalesque reversal of norms that their work matters. And to make it possible for them and all the rest of us to somehow make light of it all.        

     
How did it start?
Many years ago, standing on the banks of the Rhine in Swiss Basel, we became the unwitting witnesses of the satirical carnival of Fasnacht. Every year, the center of the city in the center of Europe transforms into a fascinating celebration, a whirlwind of sardonic masks and music spanning the three days the people of Basel prepare for the entire year. This remarkable tradition brings the city to life, cultivates a network of relationships, and provides residents there an unexpected way to become interested and involved in public life. Wouldn’t it be great to have something like this too? we asked ourselves. Thus in 2012 we put together the first installment of the Velvet Carnival.
 

What’s the point?

We would like the Velvet Celebration to become an obvious facet of life in Prague. That, with the first falling leaves, people would automatically fall into thoughts about that which has spoken to them, drew them in, or set them off in previous months, about which artist to join heads with, and finally which issue to flesh out with exaggerative relish. We would be content if Prague had its own ritual which its residents would enthusiastically take part in and share, and one which would in turn be a grandiose display of their own creativity.


Who are we?

Iniciativa Fór_um was founded in September of 2012 with the aim of supporting the full taking advantage of satirical and theatrical elements in public space. Our central project is the Velvet Carnival. From time to time we host also smaller happenings to humorously bring some current topic or another to light. One example of this could be how we once canonized Václav Klaus or extolled Klaus-Morana on the last day of his reign.

Why we do it?

The answer is simple: we enjoy it. We believe that a positive approach and outlook doesn’t necessarily have to do away with constructive criticism or an objective approach to contemporary problems. On the contrary, the betterment of the atmosphere of society and the righting of wrongs is impossible without a sense of humor and satire. We want to amuse both ourselves and those passing by while at the same time drawing attention to the reality that despite the fact that we’re actually doing quite well for ourselves, there are still a few things we could do even better at. We want to make something together, to be creative, and to have a good time doing so, because we can.

The Duck Stops Here

This is comprised of the activity of many, the overwhelming majority of whom participate in its preparations totally voluntarily. Even so, it is necessary for us to procure basic financing for both its materialization and organization. And since the Velvet Carnival is an event for the people of Prague, we hope that it will be them who will take part also financially. So that they contribute to the thing they enjoy.

Headlines from the video:

Czech Republic this year to reject all migrating ducks!

Donald Duck elected President of the USA: Quacks to replace Tweets?

Duck out of control frolics through Prague!

Accusation to fall in Duck Nest case?

Prague Zoo solemnly receives the Peking Duck

Wallstreet reports: DUCK AND COVER! FOWLING MARKET!

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Choose reward for your contribution

  • sold 9
    Crossing my fingers for all you quackers!

    I want you to win and I ask for nothing in return!

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 4.21
    (CZK 106)

  • sold 30
    Logo badge of the Velvet Carnival 2017

    By purchasing a badge you contribute to our efforts and will just happen to have a handsome souvenir on your coat for the whole next year.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 6.20
    (CZK 156)

  • sold 19
    Prototype of a beer from Prague’s newest micro-brewery

    Beat the pub’s grand opening! A small batch IPA the likes of which you’ll be able to enjoy after New Year’s to your heart’s content in a for-now unnamed local pub...
    Price for a 0.7 liter bottle of this one of a kind beverage.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 6.60
    (CZK 166)

  • sold 31
    Homemade Kimchi

    The balanced, spicy flavor of Korea’s favorite fermented cabbage goes hand in hand excellently with absolutely anything, well besides maybe candied yams!
    Does not include fish sauce or shellfish.
    Homemade product. 
    Price is for a 600 gram jar.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 6.60
    (CZK 166)

  • sold 6
    “This is not a Duck” Poster

    Color, gorgeous, Peking poster, perfect for any kitchen or WC

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 12.16
    (CZK 306)

  • remaining 3 from 3
    Exclusive brushes

    Set of three high quality brushes for painters. 

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 14.55
    (CZK 366)

  • sold 2
    Logo Badge + “This is not a Duck” Poster Bundle

    Souvenir for indoors or out.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 18.13
    (CZK 456)

  • sold 11
    Sponsor’s contribution towards mask production

    We appreciate your dough the most during the creative process – for materials, tools, paint...

    Reward delivery: in a week after the Hithit project end

    EUR 20.12
    (CZK 506)

  • sold 2
    Papier-mâché Set for children

    Basic creative kits plus instructions for use, minus toxic additives – we tried on our own.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 26.00
    (CZK 654)

  • remaining 1 from 6
    “This is not a Duck” Badge Special

    Totally overhauled version of the badge, #outlandishlychic, metal to boot. Bound to get extra mileage in Masopust Carnival season as well.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 26.48
    (CZK 666)

  • remaining 4 from 6
    5 Years of the Velvet Carnival Catalogue

    Five years of existence is plenty reason to celebrate. It will be a beautiful catalogue with tons of photos. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 34.82
    (CZK 876)

  • remaining 4 from 6
    Collection of 4 Badges

    Collection of Velvet Carnival badges from 2014-2017 on a special, exhibition-ready platter.   

    Reward delivery: on address, in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 39.99
    (CZK 1,006)

  • sold 0
    Framed Poster and Invitation to a Spring-time Romp

    That’s right – the Velvet Carnival is alive and quacking all year long. You’ll be invited in spring to tag along for an unorganized, roaming, musical soirée throughout Prague and its local watering holes.   

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 44.36
    (CZK 1,116)

  • remaining 6 from 6
    King of the Masopust Carnival Season 2018

    Whip up your own original mask to tromp around in during any Shrovetide-Carnival. The bundle includes a ready to use mould, basic materials, and instructions for papier-mâché technique. You’ll be able to choose a face or shape from our ongoing collection. (This offer does not extend to the faces of politicians as we would like to keep their presence in the world to a minimum).

    Reward delivery: on address, in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 49.06
    (CZK 1,234)

  • remaining 2 from 2
    Painter's set

    Set of high quality brushes and other tools for painting and other creative activities

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 54.30
    (CZK 1,366)

  • remaining 3 from 3
    Short papier-mâché Workshop

    Ideal if you’d like to make a point with a happening on your own time during the Velvet offseason. Or to plan your own favorite Carnival in high style and bring a unique look to the whole group. Comes with expert creative guidance and material for 4-6 participants.

    Reward delivery: in a quarter after the Hithit project end

    EUR 238.52
    (CZK 6,000)

  • sold 1
    Velvet Carnival Partner

    I want to support Velvet Carnival as a partner and add my name as a partner to the Velvet Carnival Catalogue.

    Reward delivery: in a month after the Hithit project end

    EUR 238.52
    (CZK 6,000)

  • remaining 3 from 3
    Traditional feast for 6

    Roasted duck, potato dumplings, sour cabbage, six big bottles of IPA brew – EVERYTHING locally bred and boiled and brewed. Delivered to your doorstep at home or the workplace.
    Extraordinary quality!
    A tenth of Carnival proceeds paid back in grub!

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 265.00
    (CZK 6,666)

  • remaining 1 from 3
    So-called “Multi-Culti” Feast for 6

    Peking duck, Indian pancakes, Korean kimchi, original Czech IPA beers -- EVERYTHING locally bred and boiled and brewed. Delivered to your doorstep at home or the workplace. Extraordinary quality! A tenth of the Carnival proceeds paid back in grub! 

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 265.00
    (CZK 6,666)

  • remaining 2 from 2
    Private Concert with Schlauchband

    Schlauchband, also known as Kutálka, is an undeniable part of the Velvet Carnival, though it functions without it too. Anytime, anywhere, in masks, in the procession or on the spot. 

    Reward delivery: on address, in half a year after the Hithit project end

    EUR 358.02
    (CZK 9,006)

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