<P> Užgavėnės begins on the night before Ash Wednesday, when an effigy of winter (usually named Morė) is burnt . A major element symbolizes the defeat of winter in the Northern Hemisphere . It is a staged battle between Lašininis ("porky") personifying winter and Kanapinis ("hempen man") personifying spring . Devils, witches, goats, the grim reaper, and other joyful and frightening characters appear in costumes during the celebrations . </P> <P> Eating pancakes is an important part of the celebration . </P> <P> In Luxembourg, the pre-Lenten holiday season is known as Fuesend . Throughout the Grand - Duchy, parades and parties are held . </P> <P> Pétange is the home of the Grand - Duchy's largest pre-Lenten Karneval celebration . Annually hosting a cavalcade with roughly 1,200 participants and thousand of celebrants, the official name is Karneval Gemeng Péiteng or "Kagepe" (the initials in Luxembourgish are pronounced "Ka", "Ge" and "Pe"). </P>

When was the roman catholic feast of carnival celebrated