It's time to chill out for Carnival

The waters were near freezing, but that did not stop these swimmers from braving the cold for a party yesterday in Lake Glebokie, in Szczecin, western Poland.

The frosty festivities were in honour of Carnival season. In most countries in Europe, Carnival is celebrated annually with parties and merrymaking, often reaching a peak before the start of Lent.

In Poland, the highlight of Carnival is a party called kulig, which features a sleigh ride, often accompanied by torch-bearers and music.

The week before Ash Wednesday, Poles in Krakow celebrate Fat Thursday, where they indulge in crispy sweet pastry strips called faworki and Polish doughnuts filled with jam.