Czech village celebrates UNESCO-listed Shrovetide carnival

The annual Shrovetide procession, inscribed in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, parades through the town of Vortova in the central Czech region of Hlinecko. Participants are split into groups wearing costumes which are supposed to depict mares, knackers, Jews, Turks and chimney sweepers, and visit households in the village.

Each group has a role, with the knackers checking the condition of all animals as well as the inhabitants themselves, while the chimney sweepers smear people's faces with soot. The procession ends with a slaughter of the mare and a dance.