Those who think of Germans as a rather sober, stern, hard working and extremely efficient people, somewhat lacking in the fun and humour department, will get the surprise of their lives if they visit Germany during Fasching also called Karneval, depending on the region.
On the 11th of November at exactly 11.11 am, the Närrische Zeit kicks off and Prinz and Prinzessin Karneval and their entourage rule supremely.
Duration of Carnival in Germany
Karneval starts on the 11th of November which, in Germany, also coincides with St. Martin’s Day and its celebrations and traditions.
The following months are rather low key during the run up to Christmas and the New Year, with some Karnevalssitzungen , sessions of entertainment presided over by the Närrische Tollitäten (The Crazy Highnesses) but the summit of Fasching is reached during the Drei Tollen Tagen (The Three Crazy Days.)
The dates vary because they depend on the date of each years’s Easter and the events revolve around Rosenmontag (Monday of Roses) which is the 42nd day before Easter. Rosenmontag is followed by Shrove Tuesday and all festivities end on Ash Wednesday or Aschermittwoch.
Hochburgen (Centers) of Carnival in Germany
There are carnival activities all over Germany, but the most elaborate as well as best known festivities take place in the Rhine Land, particularly in the cities of Köln, Mainz and Düsseldorf. Neither München nor Berlin should be forgotten though.
Highly televised each year is the Rosenmontagsumzug (Rose Monday parade) in Cologne. Float after float with different themes, from politics to local events, wind their way through the streets all day long. Millions of people follow the display either on TV or, in costume themselves, cheering along the streets and shouting themselves hoarse with Hellau or Kölle Alaaf, the traditional Fastnacht greetings. Kammelle (sweets) are thrown into the crowds from the floats and again, Prinz and Prinzessin Karneval preside.
Shrove Thursday sees the “Conquest” of the Town Hall by the Narren (fools) who govern the city until Aschermittwoch.
Weiberfastnacht is the day when women can go crazy. They are allowed to cut off the tie of any man in sight as well as kiss them at their leisure.
Apart fromm the parades there are a sin fin of private parties and Sitzungen (sessions) of the different carnival societies.
Most Notorious Carnival Figures
Apart from Prinz and Prinzessin Karneval mention must be made of the Dreigestirn (Three Stars) who exist only in Cologne. Theses are actually 11 members elected from the 105 historical carnival associations of Cologne and are lead by the Bauer (peasant), the Jungfrau (virgin), who is always a man and the Prinz. The Närrische Tollitäten are accompanied by the Funkenmariechen, their very acrobatic bodyguards comparable to US cheerleaders.
“Mainz wie es singt und lacht” is the annual session of Mainz’ Festkommitee, which is always televised and followed by millions. Büttenredner, one of them Till Eulenspiegel, climb into the Bütt (a barrel) and fire off biting but witty satire, often in verse.
Once non Germans have visited the country and witnessed one form or another of German carnival activities, they will never again think of Germans as lacking in a sense of fun and humour.
Inka Piegsa-Quischotte - Since two years I am a full time travel and lifestyle writer and blogger. I published several articles and blogs on ...
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