Costumed participants in the "'Entroido Ribeirao" during the Sunday Corredoiro Carnival, an ancient carnival in the village of Santiago de Arriba,in Chantada, Lugo, Spain on Sunday. /VCG Photo

The carnival is one of the best loved festivals across Spain. For generations, it has been seen as a time to have a bit of irreverent fun, mock authority and indulge before Lent.

But its origins are intrinsically linked to celebrations marking the arrival of Spring. /VCG Photo