Nice, France  - The theme of this year's pre-Lenten carnival festival in Nice is "King of Masquerades," said Olivia Zuercher, spokeswoman for the French Riviera city's tourism office. She said it aimed to evoke the art of concealment in every sense.

To be held from February 13 to March 1, Nice's 125th Carnival returns in 2009 to its old stamping grounds. After a long absence, the King of Carnival, a giant papier-mache figure, will once again be installed on the Place Massena in the historic city centre. For the first time, a Carnival queen, to be chosen on opening day, will be at his side during the festivities.

Another innovation, Zuercher said, would be large viewing screens on the Place Massena with animated pictures projecting the spirit of Carnival for three weeks. Twenty colourfully decorated floats will roll down the traditional route, the seafront Promenade des Anglais, for the "Flower Battles."

In recent years, during the parades, young women on the floats bombard spectators with flowers as it travelled along the Quai des Etats-Unis.

Internet: www. nicetourisme. com, www. nicecarnaval. com (dpa)