Traditional carnival masks in the area of Ptuj, Ptuj Castle

The Ptuj and Drava Fields, Haloze and Slovenske Gorice hills represent an area in the north-eastern part of Slovenia, famous for the number and variety of traditional carnival masks. The most popular and well-known traditional figure is Korant or Kurent. Its origin has still not been completely unveiled, although there are some assumptions as to its connection to the Illyrian and Celtic traditon, to mythical followers of the late antique goddess Cybele, to ancestors of the Slovene nation, to the settlement of Uskoks (the Balkan rebel deserters) in the 16th century, and many others. According to an ancient belief, the Korant is a demon chasing winter away to call spring to the country.