<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>

Huge parades with singing, dancing and trumpets. Flipping pancakes in a pan, hoping they do not fall on the floor!

Tomorrow, millions of Christians around the world will celebrate Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day or Mardi Gras.

For hundreds of years, Christians have marked the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert by giving something up or fasting. This time is known as Lent. The day before Lent starts is a chance to eat lots of foods before any fasting starts.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more</h2>

People who fast give up food and sometimes even drinks. It is normally done as part of a religious event, such as Lent for Christians or RamadanThe ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk. for Muslims.

In the past, some monksGroups of religious men who live together and withdraw from the rest of the world. fasted before and after Lent too. They wanted to suffer like Jesus suffered in the desert. And some thought it would help them to focus and keep their minds on God, too.

Yes! Of course, we need to eat. Fasting should not be taken too far. But many say that fasting for a small time can help us to keep focused.

No! Eating too little food is not healthy. And fasting does not always help with focus: it is difficult to think when your stomach is rumblingA deep noise that carries on for a long time. .

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic year, during which Muslims are required to fast from dawn until dusk.

Monks - Groups of religious men who live together and withdraw from the rest of the world.

Rumbling - A deep noise that carries on for a long time.