Crazy Days In Cologne: Shoppers' Paradise In Germany

The 'Crazy Days' in Cologne, Germany, refers to the annual carnival that takes place in the city. Known as the 'Fifth Season of the Year', the carnival is a colourful and joyous celebration that attracts around one million visitors. The festival is a week-long street party, taking place between Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. The carnival is a continuation of ancient Greek and Roman traditions of celebrating spring festivals in honour of Dionysus and Saturn.

The 'Crazy Days' are the end and climax of the Cologne Carnival

The Crazy Days are the end and climax of the Cologne Carnival, an annual celebration that attracts around one million visitors to the German city. The carnival is a continuation of a tradition that dates back to pagan times, when people would celebrate before the fasting period of Lent.

The Crazy Days are known as the 'fifth season' of the year, and they kick off on the Thursday before Lent, known as Fat Thursday or Women's Carnival Day. The carnival is officially declared open at Alter Markt, a downtown square in Cologne. During the celebrations, people dress up in costumes, with the motto being the brighter, the better. The typical greeting during the festival is "Kölle Alaaf!", a Kölsch phrase.

The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday, which falls two days before Ash Wednesday. This is when the largest street parade takes place, with costumed revellers tossing sweets to the crowds and singing traditional songs. The parade is led by the Carnival Prince, known as "His Madness", whose float is the final one in the procession.

The carnival comes to an end on the night of Ash Wednesday, with the burning of the Nubbel. This straw doll, which represents the sins committed during the carnival, is carried to the grave and burned. As the flames die down, the crowd links arms and sings a melancholy tune, marking the end of the festivities and the return to everyday life.

The Carnival is also known as the 'Fifth Season of the Year'

The Carnival in Cologne, Germany, is known as the "Fifth Season of the Year" or the "Fifth Season". This is because the city's annual celebrations are seen as so important that they are considered to be an extra season on top of the traditional four. The Carnival is a continuation of a tradition that dates back to pagan times, when people would celebrate and feast before the fasting period of Lent.

The "Fifth Season" is declared open at 11:11 am on the 11th of November (the 11th day of the 11th month). The festivities then pause during Advent and Christmas, before resuming after Epiphany on 6 January. The Carnival's crazy days or "street carnival" take place between Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). During this time, the streets of Cologne are filled with music, dancing, and masquerades. Pubs stay open until the early hours of the morning, and people dress up in costumes, with the motto being: the brighter, the better.

The highlight of the Carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. On this day, there is a large parade with floats, and costumed revellers toss sweets to the crowds while singing traditional songs. The Carnival officially ends on the night of Ash Wednesday with the burning of the Nubbel, a straw doll that is blamed for the sins committed during the Carnival.

The Carnival in Cologne is a unique and joyous celebration that attracts around one million visitors each year. It is a time when the city comes alive with colour and excitement, providing a memorable experience for both locals and tourists alike.

The Carnival begins on 11 November at 11:11 am

The Carnival in Cologne, Germany, is an annual celebration that attracts around one million visitors to the city. The festivities kick off on the 11th of November at 11:11 am, marking the beginning of the "fifth season" or the "Crazy Days". This unique tradition is a source of pride for locals and a draw for tourists seeking a cheerful and exuberant celebration.

The Carnival is a long-standing tradition in Cologne, dating back to the city's ancient history. The current incarnation of the Carnival began over 190 years ago, but its origins can be traced further back to ancient Greek and Roman spring festivals honouring Dionysus and Saturn. Similarly, ancient Germans celebrated the winter solstice and ritually drove out the evil spirits of winter.

The "Crazy Days" of the Carnival are filled with merrymaking, dancing, and masquerades. The typical greeting during the festival is "Kölle Alaaf!", a Kölsch phrase. The highlight of the Carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. Pubs remain open until the early hours, and the spirit of the Carnival can be felt everywhere, from the streets and public squares to offices and homes.

The Carnival is also a time for unique traditions and ceremonial rituals. One notable tradition is the election of the "Dreigestirn" or triumvirate, consisting of the Jungfrau (maiden), Prinz (prince), and Bauer (peasant). These individuals pay a large sum of money for the privilege of their titles, with the carnival prince being the highest representative of the festivities, leading the main parades. Another tradition is the ceremonial burning of the "Nubbel", a life-size straw doll that serves as a personification of the hedonistic Carnival. On the closing night of the festivities, locals gather around a huge bonfire to burn the Nubbel, symbolically cleansing themselves of the sins committed during the Carnival.

The Carnival in Cologne is a vibrant and joyous celebration, offering a unique experience for both locals and visitors alike. With its mix of ancient traditions, festive spirit, and cultural significance, it stands as one of Germany's largest and most anticipated festivals.

The Carnival is a continuation of ancient Greek and Roman festivals

The Carnival in Cologne, Germany, is a continuation of ancient festivals celebrated by the Greeks and Romans. The ancient Greeks and Romans held Spring festivals in honour of Dionysus (god of wine) and Saturn, respectively. These festivals involved drinking, dancing, and music, and authorities would grant leniency to the people, allowing them to joke and criticise authorities without fear of repercussions.

Cologne, being a Roman colony, celebrated the feast of Saturnalia. Over time, Christian influences were incorporated into the celebrations, and ancient Germans began celebrating as part of the official church calendar, six weeks before the period of Lent. The Carnival in Cologne is known as the "fifth season" and is celebrated annually, commencing on the 11th of November at 11:11 am.

The Carnival involves public celebrations, including parades, street parties, and other entertainments, with participants wearing elaborate costumes and masks. The festival is a time of merrymaking and indulgence before Lent, with drinking, overeating, and various other activities. The highlight of the Carnival is Rose Monday, two days before Ash Wednesday, when there is a large parade with over a million visitors in fancy dress and costumes.

The Carnival in Cologne thus draws on ancient Greek and Roman festivals, adapting and incorporating Christian influences over time to become the celebration it is today.

The highlight of the Carnival is Rose Monday, two days before Ash Wednesday

The Cologne Carnival is an annual celebration in Cologne, Germany. It is also known as the 'Fifth Season of the Year' and is one of the largest street festivals in Europe, attracting around one million visitors. The festival has religious origins and is celebrated over six days (from Thursday to Tuesday) before Lent, the 40-day fasting period before Easter.

The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday, which falls two days before Ash Wednesday. This is when the famous Rose Monday parade takes place, with costumed revellers tossing sweets to the crowds and singing traditional songs. As it is the climax of the carnival, anyone not wearing a wild costume or painted face is likely to stand out! The parade is led by the Carnival Prince, known as 'His Madness', whose float is the last in the procession.

The carnival prince is one of three key figures in the carnival, along with the Bauer (peasant) and the Jungfrau (maiden or virgin). These three characters are known as the Dreigestirn or triumvirate, and they pay a large sum of money for the privilege of their titles. The trio has existed since 1883, although they were originally individual characters that were introduced to the carnival in the 1820s. The prince is the most important, with the role of the highest representative of the festivities. He carries a sceptre in his right hand and a slapstick in his left, which is a symbol of the fool and also of fertility.

The peasant, or 'His Heftyness', represents the boldness of the old privileged imperial city of Cologne. He carries a sword and a flail, which symbolise his loyalty to the empire and his truthfulness. He also wears the city keys at his girdle, representing the heroes of the Cologne militia contingent in the Battle of Worringen in 1288, after which the city gained its independence from the archbishop.

The maiden, or 'Her Loveliness', symbolises the patronising mother Colonia and is traditionally played by a man. From 1936 to 1943, under orders from the Nazi authorities, the maiden was played by a real woman. She wears a mural crown, representing the 'defender' of the city, and a hand mirror, symbolising 'female vanity'.

Frequently asked questions