Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans
M. O'BRIEN: Mardi Gras has been going on 150 times. There were 13 occasions over the years where for various reasons -- civil war, whatever the case -- that they canceled the parades. But Mardi Gras happens every year. It's Fat Tuesday no matter what. It's on the calendar. This year they were determined not to stop the celebration, even though six months ago this part of the world was on its back, to say the least. Joining me now is Henri Schindler, who is a noted historian of Mardi Gras and has written a book called "Mardi Gras Treasures," which I invite you to check it out if you're interested in the history of all of this. It's good to have you with us, Henri. Thank you for your patience.</s>HENRI SCHINDLER, AUTHOR, "MARDI GRAS TREASURES": It's good to be here.</s>M. O'BRIEN: It's good to be here. Happy Mardi Gras to you.</s>SCHINDLER: Happy Mardi Gras.</s>M. O'BRIEN: Now, you were in -- out of the country at the time of the storm. By the time you got back in September or even into October, I guess, did you think at that time -- you'd witness what you're seeing here right now?</s>SCHINDLER: Not really, especially not in September. I watched this on CNN in Lima, Peru, and the devastation seemed so complete. And, yet, by the time I got home in late October, it seemed that Mardi Gras was going to come forward. And by then, I really wasn't surprised. Carnival is such an integral part of New Orleans that it has bounced back from every catastrophe. It always has.</s>M. O'BRIEN: Now, you were costumed up as what today? You're a...</s>SCHINDLER: Bits and pieces of old costumes. This was Punchinello (ph). This was an antique French mask I've had for some time and never worn.</s>M. O'BRIEN: Just -- but that's part of the tradition. How did that come to be?</s>SCHINDLER: Well, actually, carnival is the oldest and most vibrant of New Orleans traditions, and it's been celebrated far longer than 150 years. It's been going on for closer to 200. And actually, in 1699, when the city's founder was coming up the Mississippi River, they made landfall and -- at a little point on the river and realized it was Mardi Gras back in France. And so they named the first spot of land the Point du Mardi Gras. So it's been around that long.</s>M. O'BRIEN: Since day one. Let's talk about the golden age. We're talking 1870s to the 1930s. How have the floats changed? How has the celebration changed from that time until now?</s>SCHINDLER: The pageants began in the 1850s. That's what we're celebrating this year. The first thematic pageant was Fomus (ph) in 1857; Rex, who will be coming soon, in 1872. In the golden age, the themes were very esoteric. The entire parade, every float was constructed from the wheels up. Incredible effects with the night parades. Flambeau, dancing around the floats, colored flares and smoke. There was an otherworldly aspect to this.</s>M. O'BRIEN: What we see today is an outgrowth of that and yet different in some ways?</s>SCHINDLER: Well, carnival has never stayed the same very long. It's organic. It grows. It shrinks. Zulu came on the scene in 1909. Originally they had very few floats and those were decorated with palmetto leaves and moss. Now, we have a full-fledged parade of floats. There are new groups who are very satirical. And, of course, this year with Katrina, that was the favorite topic of many satirical floats.</s>M. O'BRIEN: The sense of humor is alive, isn't it? Nice to see that.</s>SCHINDLER: This day in particular. This is the culmination of carnival. Mardi Gras is the last day before Ash Wednesday. And this -- it is the celebration of life, of exuberance, the joy of the moment. And it is the spirit of New Orleans.</s>M. O'BRIEN: Henri Schindler, whose book "Mardi Gras Treasures" is worth checking out if you want to find out more. Thank you for your time. Happy Mardi Gras to you. Thanks for waiting around. We're back with more in a moment.