Every year in the last days of February and early March, Germany is literally changing before our eyes. The eve of Lent in Germany marks the long-awaited holiday - carnival. Different regions of Germany call this action differently: Fasching, Fastnacht, Karneval. Carnivals are not held throughout Germany, but only in its Catholic regions. This holiday is most popular on the banks of the Rhine River. The festivities in Düsseldorf, Mainz and the carnival in Cologne are well-known. Germany attracts a lot of people during this period who are really hungry for fun. All its colors, interesting carnival costumes, songs, cheerful dances and processions amaze with their brightness, liveliness and mood.
A bit of history
The first to start carnivals were the ancient Romans, they held majestic celebrations in honor of Dionysus and Saturn. Carnival in Germany, with its ancient history, dates back to the time of the Germans, who celebrated the winter solstice, paying tribute to the Gods and thereby expelling evil spirits. Even the prohibitions imposed by the Catholic Church could not stop the Germans in their pursuit of fun and festivities. Alreadyin the 18th century, carnivals in Germany spread almost everywhere and gradually became official. Modern carnivals give local residents and tourists a unique holiday atmosphere, remind of the traditions and unique culture of the peoples of the country. Carnival in Germany is such an ancient tradition that it is sometimes referred to as the 5th season. The country begins to prepare for the carnival, starting in November. The official start of the festivities is announced in advance - on November 11, at 11 hours and 11 minutes, this time is considered magical.
Baby Carnival
Carnival in February in Germany starts on Thursday. It is noteworthy that this holiday is celebrated only by women. Babi Carnival opens at 11:11. This means that the main carnival in Germany has begun. In German, its name sounds like Weiberfastnacht, it also has another name - "Stupid Thursday", which is not accidental. The thing is that the number 11 (the start time of the carnival) in the Middle Ages was considered stupid, because it was a cross between the number of commandments (10) and the number of Jesus' disciples (12). On this festive day for women, they are believed to have incredible power. To emphasize their superiority over men, women on Stupid Thursday dress up in costumes of all sorts of evil spirits. Their main goal is to capture as many men as possible and cut off their ties, which are considered a symbol of male power.
Sooty Friday
Don't even think about being bored! Carnival in Germanyis just starting! Following the "Stupid Thursday" wave of colors and fun in Germany, the next holiday is approaching - "Sooty Friday" (rußiger Freitag). Carnival Friday is called "soot" for a reason, it's all about the entrenched custom of smearing the faces of people passing by with soot.
Fat Saturday and Tulip Sunday
Next, the people meet "Fat Saturday" (Schmalziger Samstag). On this day, foods containing too much fat are traditionally thrown out of the refrigerator. The Saturday feast is followed by "Tulip Sunday", which is mostly characterized by various children's processions.
Pink Monday
This holiday is considered to be the apogee of the whole carnival. We note right away that its name has nothing to do with flowers, "rasen" in German means "rush" or "rush". It is on this day that the noisiest and brightest carnival processions begin. The Germans themselves claim that everything is possible on this day, therefore, when going out into the street, one should be prepared for literally anything. The festival is striking in its incredible scale. Everywhere you look, people are walking around in completely unimaginable costumes, so bright and unusual that it is impossible to tear off admiring glances from them.
In most cases, costumes for the carnival are made by hand, but even the most eccentric designer would envy such a breadth of imagination, like that of the locals. Even cars in thisare decorated in a special way, fabulous creatures ride on their roofs, everyone around screams, laughs, sings songs in unison and shouts out greetings. Sweets and colored confetti are flying into the enthusiastic crowd from different directions. Everything around is so bright and changing so quickly that it feels like you are looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. The impressions are truly unforgettable, the whole city is having fun, spinning in dances and carelessly walking through the streets. In some cities, this day is even considered a day off, although unofficial.
Tuesday before Lent
Lent is approaching, which means the so-called Tuesday "before Lent", or Faschingdienstag. On this day, everywhere you can buy and enjoy the taste of festive donuts with a sweet jam filling, which the Germans call "Berliners", if you're lucky, you will come across a "lucky donut" stuffed with mustard or containing a coin inside. Buying a lucky donut is considered a good omen. On this holiday, it is customary to drink special strong beer and fill up, which is not surprising, because this is the last opportunity to eat everything that the stomach requires - Lent is ahead.
The end of the carnival
Bright colors and crowds of laughing people are slowly dissipating, the life of the country is moving into a more familiar direction. The carnival in Germany has come to an end, people are putting up fancy dresses and masks until next year and the new carnival. Ash Wednesday, or Aschermittwoch, marks the endcarnival fun and the beginning of the fast, which lasts for 40 days, after which the people celebrate Maslenitsa.
Carnival in Germany. Photos and impressions
If one day you get a lucky chance to visit Germany during carnival, don't miss it. One of the brightest, most colorful and fun holidays in the world is precisely the carnival in Germany. The photos in the article clearly demonstrate this. Only after visiting this beautiful country and seeing the carnival processions with your own eyes, so to speak, from the inside, you can really feel the whole atmosphere and mood of the holiday. It is impossible to fully convey with the help of words all the delight and amazement experienced by a person who is in the very heart of an excited crowd, when joyful music, congratulations sound everywhere, and the head is literally spinning from colors and all the variety of costumes. Come, participate in the carnival in person and tell your friends about how carnival is celebrated in Germany. This is truly an unforgettable sight, the impressions of which will remain with you forever.
