KARNEVAL - Germany
Carnival in Germany is known as the Fifth Season or the Season of Fools and the most famous celebration takes place in Köln (Cologne in English). The first written record of the Köln Karneval is from the year 1341 when lower classes were allowed to wear costumes and masks to mimic aristocracy and heads of church and state. The Karneval season officially begins on the Feast of the Epiphany and is filled with many events.
The famous Bütten (barrel) speakers deliver entertaining speeches that range from funny to satirical and highly political. The speakers enjoy "Narrenfreiheit" (fools' liberty), the license of a court jester who had the liberty to speak unpopular truths as long as they were cloaked into the forms of jokes.
The street celebrations begin on the Thursday before Lent with Weiberfastnacht (women's carnival). Women literally assume power and symbolically storm the town halls in many places. Men are advised to wear an old tie since the women are liable to cut it off on and compensate the bereft wearer with a kiss.
The climax of the season is the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade filled with floats that present satirical, political and traditional topics. As the floats pass by, the costumed revelers aboard pelt the street crowds with sweets while they sing the many old Karneval songs.
In the parade march the "Kölsche Funke" (Sparks) created as a parody of a Prussian drill. Dressed in 18th century uniforms with red coats, white wigs and three-cornered hats, this drill team carries out some irreverent maneuvers, occasionally bending over and wagging their posteriors at authority. With them march the "Funken Mariechen" (Mary of the Sparks,) high stepping dancing majorettes dressed in white wigs, three-pointed hats and red uniforms. On Karneval floats and during celebrations, they dance, do cartwheels, the splits and get lifted high by their partners.
The celebration ends with the "Kehraus" (Sweeping Out) when the Prinz Karneval moves with his retinue into the Rathaus (City Hall) to govern until midnight, when the merrymaking and foolishness comes to a sudden halt.RESOURCES
Official website for the Kölner Karneval
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