Carnival in Cologne: Germany’s Wildest Festival

You think that Mardi Gras is crazy, you should wait till you visit Carnival in Cologne. The festival is also addressed as the fifth season locally and the city turns into a tornado of costumes, parades and unbridled happiness.

 Carnival in Cologne is not merely a phenomenon: the Carnival is a mood, an opportunity for all people to forget about their everyday life, and throw themselves into the celebration.

 Side note: For a stress-free trip, make sure to book Meet And Greet At Stansted.

When the City Comes Alive

 The season starts on November 11 at 11:11 a.m., but it reaches the height of madness in the week before Ash Wednesday. It is marked by the opening day Weiberfastnacht (Women Carnival Day).

 Offices close, the streets are full of music and women before going out to have a good time, symbolically cutting the ties of men. Since then, the city has not slowed down.

 

Costumes, Crowds, and Chaos

 You will see everywhere people in gaudy costumes, pirates, clowns, animals, historical characters, and as many wild, outrageous inventions as you can imagine.

 The only difference is that everybody becomes a part of the show because Carnival in Cologne is not only about the parade participants. You are being transported into the same group consciousness whether you are taking Kolsch beer in a crowded pub or moving in the streets.

 

The Big Day: Rosenmontag

 

It is topped off by Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), when huge floats move through the city.

 Others are jocular, and others are political, making fun of world leaders and events happening at the moment with stinging sarcasm. Candy pours upon the people, and the bands play, and hours long the city swells with laughing and music.

 

More Than Just a Party

 But, in the middle of the mess, there is something deeper: a sense of community. Carnival is a festival of coming together, breaking social barriers and partying in the most unpolished way possible.

 Strangers join hands, sing folk songs and some days Cologne is the happiest city on the planet.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Positano vs. Ravello: Which Coastal Town Should You Choose?

  You will hear a lot about Positano and Ravello if you are planning a holiday to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. However you look at it, they are both very beautiful and each experience is unique.   Now you have to pick the one right for you. A lot of this choice depends on your personal style of traveling.   Note: If you are travelling on a budget then make sure to check short stay parking Heathrow . In Positano you will find glamour, tradition and a lot of excitement.   Most people associate Positano with the Amalfi Coast. Every part of this place is beautiful, with colorful buildings on the cliffs, sandy beaches, fashionable boutiques and elegant hotels. You’ll find swarms of visitors exploring narrow streets, hoping to find limoncello, sandals and restaurants with lovely sea views. If you want to be in the center of everything, rest each day on sun loungers at Spiaggia Grande and enjoy cocktails with live music in the evening, Positano is the town for you. You com...
Read more

How to Use Public Transport in Vienna and Beyond

  Using the public transport in Vienna is delightfully easy and effective and you begin to realize that fact as soon as you get out of the plane.   The city is like a clockwork, so is the network of trams, buses, trains and the U-Bahn (subway).   Regardless of whether you are going to spend a couple of days in the city or use Vienna as a hub to explore the rest of Austria, public transport will become your best friend.   Vienna Start Up   You should first purchase a travel pass. A Vienna City Card, 24-, 48-, or 72-hour ticket, or a weekly ticket gives unlimited access to the majority of types of transport. They may be bought online, in the kiosks at the stations, or from ticket machines.   All you have to do is make sure you validate your ticket before your first trip in case it is not already time-stamped.   Getting to know the System   The U-Bahn (subway) of Vienna is quick and easy. It operates between 5 AM and midnight and ...
Read more

Thrift Shopping in LA: Where to Score Vintage Treasures

    When I arrived in LA, I wanted to achieve my dreams and didn’t have much money which made me fall in love with thrift stores. I soon saw that there’s more to Los Angeles than the famous shops on Rodeo Drive.   In reality, the most interesting fashion in New York comes from the hidden-away thrift stores found in interesting areas.   Hunting for vintage items can be very exciting. Every faded Levi’s jacket, 80s band tee and well-worn pair of boots has its own story. And LA? It includes many stories.   Note: if you are travelling on a budget then you can save money by booking short stay parking Heathrow   and have some extra money for your trip. Jet Rag (on Melrose Avenue)   The place is full of fun in a chaotic way. Their Sunday Sale is well known and customers treat it like a major shopping day, searching through tons of items. I came across a suede jacket that looked as if it came from a '70s movie. It was comfortable, big enough and the ...
Read more