Germany’s version of Carnivale, or Mardi Gras, centers in Rhineland. However, each region of the country observes it after its own fashion with almost a week of parties and celebrations.
Karneval Centers on the Rhine River
The area surrounding the Rhine River, or Rhineland, is the heart of Germany’s pre-Lent celebrations. The term referring to the entire season varies from region to region, but in Rhineland it’s Karneval. In Franconia it is Fasching. The last night before Ash Wednesday, that Americans call Mardi Gras, is named Fastnacht. Other areas of the Germany also celebrate with their own palette of costume parties, parades, children’s events, and general foolishness.
Fasching Decorations
In the weeks leading up to the final days before Fastnacht, store displays take on a decidedly festive appearance. Masks, streamers and confetti adorn jewelers’ windows and wine shops, for example. Fasching costume stores appear much like Halloween costume stores do in the United States in October.
Fasching Donuts, or Krapfen, is their King’s Cake
Germany’s version of the King’s Cake is Fasching donuts, or Krapfen. The many bakeries throughout the land begin to feature them a month or so before Fastnacht. Bakeries are near and dear to the German hearts and the donuts sell like hotcakes. Krapfen closely resemble jelly donuts in the States and have fruit filling or Bavarian cream inside. Outside they are topped with powdered or granulated sugar, chocolate and sprinkles or anything the baker comes up with.
A Week of Carnivale Parties
Six days before Ash Wednesday the parties start. Schools have parties for the kids who wear costumes and face paint to school. Workplaces have parties for the employees. Rarely does any serious work get done on the Friday before.
Nightclubs and private clubs such as soccer teams host adult parties from Friday through Monday nights. Fancy dress balls abound. Adults usually sport a different costume for each party. The parties continue long into each night with plenty of dancing and singing. Lots of Germany’s famous beer and wine are consumed, as well as hard liquor. Costume contests are usually held at each party as well.
People can enjoy the parades that are presented by almost every municipality on the Saturday or Sunday prior. There might be a carnival set up on the local festival field. There will usually also be a public fireworks display later in the evening.
Cologne is the Karneval Capital
Cologne is considered the central city for these celebrations. Here the parties and festivities begin on Thursday, or Weiberfastnacht. This is ladies night. Women are allowed to kiss anyone they want and can also cut off a man’s tie that day.
Cologne’s Famous Fireworks
The celebrations culminate on Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday, the Monday before Ash Wednesday. One of the most spectacular fireworks displays in the world takes place in Cologne on the Rhine River at about 11:00 p.m. on Rose Monday.
In Cologne, the season officially begins each year on 11 November at 11:00 a.m. However, evidence of it doesn’t really appear anywhere in Germany until the Epiphany, January 6. Since the actual date of Ash Wednesday depends on Easter, the timeframe for the silliness will vary.
Munich’s Marienplatz and Viktualienmarkt Celebrations
Of course, Cologne isn’t the only city that hosts huge Fasching events. Munich is well known for its costumed inhabitants on Marienplatz and in the Viktualienmarkt on Tuesday. Gala balls and parties proliferate here, too. Some claim that Munich rivals Cologne for the level of celebrations.
Contrary to Germany’s reputation as serious and mechanized, the citizens of the country throw themselves into this end-of-winter celebration. They take the opportunity to dress up and generally make fools of themselves for almost a week, having a lot of fun in the process.
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Karren Tolliver - Karren Doll Tolliver is from the Midwest USA and received a BA in English from Mississippi University for Women in 1984. Writing since she ...
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