The traditional May holidays of the Bulgarian town of Gabrovo have started. The main event is the Days of Humor and Satire, which include a carnival on the first Saturday after the day of Gabrovo – May17. The motto of the carnival this year is "Gabrovo - my little Brussels" – a humoroushint at the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU. Symbol of the carnival is a huge, 4-meter long cat with its tail cut. Masquerades dating back to the beginning of the 20^th century are also at the heart of the humorous carnival in Gabrovo. The Carnival days are called "fifth season". This unique celebration of joy begins with cutting the cat’s tail, because the accent in the humor of Gabrovo citizens is their proverbial frugalness. People joke that they cut the tails of their cats so they can close the door faster after them and thus save from heating. It is said that Gabrovo citizens put green glasses on their horses when they feed them wood fiber instead of grass. The festival days in the Bulgarian "capital" of humor also include competitions, exhibitions and concerts. Each year they attract many guests from Bulgaria and abroad.