In Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, as in many other Caribbean islands, the most awaited traditional festivity is Carnival.

But here, this festivity is even more special; two carnivals are held on the Island each year, one on the French Side and one on the the Dutch Side.

On the french side, the traditional date prevails: Mardi-Gras, in February.

For a week, it is a festival of music, color and good cheer: parades by day, great musical feasts latre into the night, until Vaval's burning on the last night before Lent.

More traditional than the Dutch side's, the French celebration is also a little more sedate.

In Philipsburg, this holliday has only been held for the last thirty years.