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Ivrea, Italy - If you need proof that Carnival means different things to different people, look at Ivrea's annual orange battle.

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Ivrea, Italy - Different teams get together to smash oranges—preferably against each other's bodies.

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Ivrea, Italy - Safety gear is definitely recommended!

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Schramberg, Germany - Carnival revelers brave their imaginative self-made floats down the Schiltach stream during the "Da-Bach-na-Fahrt" (race down the stream) raft contest.

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Cologne, Germany - A huge figure depicting Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May makes a bold political statement during the parade.

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Cádiz, Spain - Some impassioned ladies sing during the Carnival of Cádiz.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Another bold statement that gives celebration a strong push to progress.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - A giant hand releases a flower from a spray paint can in a truly astounding display.

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Valletta, Malta - A rare unicorn is spotted in a sea of flamingos.

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Dunkirk, France - This unconvincing nun is particularly excited during the parade for "Carnaval de Dunkerque."

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Drum queen Raissa de Oliveira channels her feline energy.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Dogs can become anything they want during Rio's "Blocão."

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Cologne, Germany - In a play on Banksy’s latest shocking move (i.e. partially shredding a very expensive piece of artwork), a poster of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is used in its place.

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São Paulo, Brazil - Creepy, cool, or just Carnival?

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Cádiz, Spain - KISS for Cádiz!

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São Paulo, Brazil - Revelers from Dragões da Real samba school swap feathers for metal in a futuristic display.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - A mint-swathed dancer from Imperatriz Leopoldinense samba school performs at the Sambadrome.

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Cologne, Germany - A bird’s-eye view of Cologne Carnival’s packed streets.

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La Paz, Bolivia - Andean women celebrate their friendships in a very tasty way by eating Aptapi, a traditional meal, during Comadres Day as part of Carnival celebrations.

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Venice, Italy - At the Carnival in Venice, people are dressed to impress.

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Venice, Italy - Even the little ones don their finest robes!

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Rottweil, Germany - Rottweil hosts the fool’s jump parade ("Narrensprung"), where revelers in traditional costumes use poles to vault down the road.

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Valletta, Malta - You could get lost in this sea of saturated color!

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Venice, Italy - Gorgeous painted ladies, don’t you think?

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Venice, Italy - Of course, Venetians love their masks.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Even sea creatures from the bottom of the ocean rose to the occasion!

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Venice, Italy - Beauty and the Beast take a little rest during Carnival.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The more traditional outfits of bejeweled ornaments and colorful feathers just never get old.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Carnival is no longer restricted by gravity and has elevated above the streets!

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Cologne, Germany - You might think this is a photo of a world-renowned art gallery, but it's actually just very creative Carnival-goers. Surprise!

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Dusseldorf, Germany - Giant figures depicting the leaders of Germany's conservative CDU, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, and Germany's Social Democratic party (SPD), Andrea Nahles, are paraded through the streets.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - The embodiment of grandeur!

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Dusseldorf, Germany - Trojan warriors add a splash of color to the street.

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Dunkirk, France - Carnival really brings people together, and you can see them start to lean on each other for support.

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