Loparski maškari, the Lopar masqueraders, as a continuation of the tradition of carnival – locally called Mesopust – characterised by white clothes and unusual head coverings stand out with their masks and customs as a distinctive element of the overall cultural tradition of the island of Rab. There is no written trace of the beginnings of this carnival tradition in Lopar, but it is considered to be more than 150 years old. Some believe that the custom was created to chase off evil spirits, and others that its purpose was to allow the expression of certain opinions, attitudes, and dissatisfaction, and even to allow individuals or groups to settle accounts with each other. The evening before the Mesopust, in the areas of Mućel and Mel, the Loparski maškari raise their flags on 20-metre-tall tree trunks and gather around them the next morning. From there, they head towards the centre of the town and visit the pastor and the school, and then form groups of 4-6 to visit local households. The hosts welcome them all day long with tables full of specialities, and the masqueraders sing traditional songs about nature, home, beauty, marriage, and nostalgia for their homeland. There are also humorous and mocking songs and curses. After visiting all the houses, the masqueraders used to gather where they started their pageant, at Mućel and Melo, where they were joined by a mih player, female masqueraders and other locals, who would all dance until late into the evening. Nowadays, they gather in the centre of the town and party until late at night. Mesopust is still considered a kind of holiday in Lopar.
Mesopust (carnival) is still considered a kind of holiday in Lopar. In 2021, the Loparski maškari carnival custom was included in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Croatia and protected as a cultural asset.
