Germany
Germany Karneval
February 4-5, 2008
Carnival is much older than Christianity and started as a ritual to drive out the winter blues and the ghosts of darkness. People had processions, wore horrifying face masks, and made a lot of noise to drive the ghosts of winter away. The Goddess of fertility (Freya) was honored and the beginning of spring celebrated. The modern image of a jester's ship is said to relate to the memory and worship of the Goddess Isis whose ship was towed through villages in the annual Carnival processions.
Christians came along, though, and tried to alter these pagen rituals so Carnival came to mark the beginning of Lent. The name Carnival is derived from Latin carne vale, meaning "farewell to meat".
As time progressed, Carneval or Fastnacht became a time when the Jester could safely make fun of kings and rulers without punishment - thus the Jester became a symbol of Carneval around the world. The Romans brought fancy dress, masquerades and elaborate parades to Carneval and the French halted Carneval for a time in 1784 and the Prussians in 1815. During Nazi times, there was no Carneval as it involved too much political satire in the Carneval speeches.
Today Carneval is a time to be a fool, as "if you are not a fool during Carneval, you will be one the rest of the year". Aachen even has an award for foolery given out each November 11 to a public figure who exudes the qualities of humor.
Although country wide, a few of the best places to visit for Carnival in Germany are listed here, Cologne, Aachen, Dusseldorf and Mainz being at the top of the list for spectacular Carnival celebrations.
Germany Carnival events coming soon, stay tuned!
Although country wide, a few of the best places to visit for Carnival in Germany are listed here, Cologne, Aachen, Dusseldorf and Mainz being at the top of the list for spectacular Carnival celebrations.
Germany Carnival events coming soon, stay tuned!
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