In Germany there are many different customs and festivals. The largest and most important holidays are Christmas and Easter.
Now comes another hard turn. It is not a religious festival. The festival is called Mardi Gras, Carnival, Karneval or Fasching..
Carnival is celebrated throughout Germany. In particular, many people celebrate it in Rheinland. Well known are the celebrations in the cities of Cologne / Köln, Duesseldorf / Düsseldorf and Mainz. Also in other parts of Germany celebrates this festival.
To celebrate the custom of Carnival is very old. Already in the 13th Century, there were parades and a carnival king was elected. Carnival is a time to be really funny once! People dress up and puts on colorful dresses or masks. Then they go to carnivals or parades with large colorfully decorated cars.
In southern Germany, but also in Switzerland and Austria, called the Carnival "Fastnacht" Often seen in the carnival time people take to the streets with masks. These masks are frightening. Even witches with their brooms can be seen. Some of the figures also wear bells or whips with which they make much noise.
This custom is very old. Earlier you wanted to banish the winter. Threaten the evil spirits, the growth and harvesting should be scared. And the good spirits that bring the spring should be awakened. Today, many people no longer believe in it. But it is an old custom, and the people it is fun to participate.
In the Rheinland of Germany, the Carnival is celebrated differently. Many reminders there at the time of 1823. The war against the French had just ended, and in Cologne again held its first Carnival parade. Thus even today, many people on the clothes you have worn back then. Soldiers clothes and beautiful costumes. Already on 11.11. begins the time of the carnival with fun festivals in big houses, so-called "sessions / Sitzung". Is then properly celebrated in the spring. For nearly a week we see people dressed up on the street or at parties. The highlight is a long train with many colorful floats and people dressed up on the Monday. Many hours of the parades go through the city, and many people are on the streets to watch. Schools and most businesses are closed on this day.
Two days later it's all over. On so-called "Ash Wednesday / Aschermittwoch" ends the carnival. Now the 40 day Lent begins in preparation for Easter. Today there are only a few people who give during this time to certain food and beverage. In the past, but this time was easier to bear if they had previously widely celebrated and eaten.
Related Links to Karneval / Fasching and Ads:
Karneval Köln
Karneval Deko / Karnevalkostüme
