i have to explain to a japanese university what german carneval is and therefore could you please read and check if the text is ok.
In Germany the carneval is also known as the fifth and foolish season. It is a time of elaborate parades, masks and balls.
Let`s have a look back into history and the roots of the carneval.
The Greeks and Romans celebrated cheerful spring festivals in honour of Dionysos and Saturn with wine, women and song. The ancient Germans celebrated the winter solstice as a homage to the Gods and expulsion of the evil winter demons. Later the Christians adopted the heathen customs. The period of fasting (Lent) prior to Easter was heralded in by "Fastnacht" or "Karnival" - carne vale = Farewell to meat! In the Middle Ages, the celebration of Carneval, the masquerade, often took on drastic forms, very much to the displeasure of the city council and the church. Bans and ordinances did little to help, the celebration was wild and spirited.
The boisterous street carnival was extended in the 18th century to include the so-called "Redouten", elegant masked and fancy-dress balls in Venetian style, which were initially the preserve of the aristocracy and the wealthy patricians. In 1823 the "Festordnende Komitee" was founded. On February 10 of that year, Cologne celebrated the first Rose Monday Parade with the motto "Inthronization of the Carneval Hero". Also involved were the "Rote Funken" the former city militia, who had just established themselves as a carnival society, the carnival fool and the "Peasant" and "Virgin" as a reminder of the former free imperial city. At that time, like today, a man wore the costume of the Virgin. In 1860, the first "Ghost Parade" was held on the evening of Carnival Saturday. Even after the turn of the century, the "founding period" of the Carnival fans continued. In 1902, the "Ehrengarde" was formed as the accompanying group of the Peasant and Virgin. In 1906, Prince Carnival was given his "Prinzengarde". Other societies established themselves. The "Sitzungen" (shows) with their humorous orators and singers bridged the gap between the opening of the "Carnival Session" on "11.11" to its climax on Rose Monday. That is still the same today.
On the last Thursday prior to Rose Monday at exactly 11.11 hrs women take over the regiment of the cities. Short info for you guys from Japan ever wanting to visit Germany on that day: Don`t wear a tie - women will simply cut it on that recent day as it is a tradition over here. In case you see some cowboys, prisoners, pirates or other strange people next to you don`t be scared and don`t think these folks are not right in their minds. Because then you are right in the middle of the "Street Carnveal". Everyone is dressed during the 6 days of street carnival between the last Thursday priot to Rose Monday and the day after Rose Monday. Hundreds of thousands are out in the streets for the celebrations. Local carneval songs go along with the celebrations. It is the time of the year when people do not think about the top 10 songs anymore as everyone only sings and dances to the local carneval songs.
For giving you a closer look at how famous the carnival in the Rhineland is I will give you some numbers for the City of Cologne: 160 carnival societies, local history societies and district groups and 500 sessions, balls and parades. One day there might be a chance for you to visit Germany in the days around Rose Monday. I will give you an advice therefore. Do not miss out the carneval.
Are there any questions on your end?
In Germany the carneval is also known as the fifth and foolish season. It is a time of elaborate parades, masks and balls.
Let`s have a look back into history and the roots of the carneval.
The Greeks and Romans celebrated cheerful spring festivals in honour of Dionysos and Saturn with wine, women and song. The ancient Germans celebrated the winter solstice as a homage to the Gods and expulsion of the evil winter demons. Later the Christians adopted the heathen customs. The period of fasting (Lent) prior to Easter was heralded in by "Fastnacht" or "Karnival" - carne vale = Farewell to meat! In the Middle Ages, the celebration of Carneval, the masquerade, often took on drastic forms, very much to the displeasure of the city council and the church. Bans and ordinances did little to help, the celebration was wild and spirited.
The boisterous street carnival was extended in the 18th century to include the so-called "Redouten", elegant masked and fancy-dress balls in Venetian style, which were initially the preserve of the aristocracy and the wealthy patricians. In 1823 the "Festordnende Komitee" was founded. On February 10 of that year, Cologne celebrated the first Rose Monday Parade with the motto "Inthronization of the Carneval Hero". Also involved were the "Rote Funken" the former city militia, who had just established themselves as a carnival society, the carnival fool and the "Peasant" and "Virgin" as a reminder of the former free imperial city. At that time, like today, a man wore the costume of the Virgin. In 1860, the first "Ghost Parade" was held on the evening of Carnival Saturday. Even after the turn of the century, the "founding period" of the Carnival fans continued. In 1902, the "Ehrengarde" was formed as the accompanying group of the Peasant and Virgin. In 1906, Prince Carnival was given his "Prinzengarde". Other societies established themselves. The "Sitzungen" (shows) with their humorous orators and singers bridged the gap between the opening of the "Carnival Session" on "11.11" to its climax on Rose Monday. That is still the same today.
On the last Thursday prior to Rose Monday at exactly 11.11 hrs women take over the regiment of the cities. Short info for you guys from Japan ever wanting to visit Germany on that day: Don`t wear a tie - women will simply cut it on that recent day as it is a tradition over here. In case you see some cowboys, prisoners, pirates or other strange people next to you don`t be scared and don`t think these folks are not right in their minds. Because then you are right in the middle of the "Street Carnveal". Everyone is dressed during the 6 days of street carnival between the last Thursday priot to Rose Monday and the day after Rose Monday. Hundreds of thousands are out in the streets for the celebrations. Local carneval songs go along with the celebrations. It is the time of the year when people do not think about the top 10 songs anymore as everyone only sings and dances to the local carneval songs.
For giving you a closer look at how famous the carnival in the Rhineland is I will give you some numbers for the City of Cologne: 160 carnival societies, local history societies and district groups and 500 sessions, balls and parades. One day there might be a chance for you to visit Germany in the days around Rose Monday. I will give you an advice therefore. Do not miss out the carneval.
Are there any questions on your end?
