All over the world, at all times, man has been fascinated by masks - the mask allows the one who wears it to do things he or she would not normally do. Also, masks are an important historical part of the European carnival culture.

Every year since 1989, mask maker Kirsten Gitz-Johansen has designed and produced a mask to give to the annual winner of the Battle of Carnival Bands. The idea and concept of giving a hand-made mask to the annual winner of the Battle of Carnival Bands came into extistence in connection with Carnival in Aalborg's first trip to the carnival in Viareggio in Italy.

Kirsten Gitz-Johansen makes an artistic interpretation of the annual carnival theme and incorporates the interpretation in the design and production of the mask. The mask is made out of mountain pine which has been cut down in January and as the content of juice is low in the trees at that time of year, the grains stand out clearly. The winner of the Battle of Carnival Bands recieves the mask of the year and 10,000 DKK.