And now for something completely different:
Jutta attended our local carnival parade. Enjoy our selection of the best shots.
Several fool's guilds
The unveiled preparation is as interesting as the parade itself
'How about my mask?'
Firefighters? Rather not, Fiery Devil's Witches!
Various types of scary costumes to drive out the winter
Various types of emergency vehicles for safeguarding
Little William lining up for food?
Guggamusig (= bag music) marching bands became part of the southern German carnival. It's played strident and 'false' in a skillful way using brass instruments, pipes and drums and dominated by the rhythm section. At the beginning the musicians used paper bags as basic masks
The royal couple, state limousines supplied by the local Fiat 500 club
Spectators always should be aware of being teased e.g. wrapped in foil
'Not me again!'
Whereas a schnapps is always appreciated
'Get lost and leave my balcony, witch!'
Teasing ...
... and whipping
Cows in the starting rain
As you can see the Swabian-Alemannic carnival is a bit different from the Rhineland one!
Carnival time!
Re: Carnival time!
Wow !!! thanks for sharing - a lot of serious effort and time has gone into those costumes - great pics
Re: Carnival time!
What was the occasion? Seems to be great fun
Re: Carnival time!
This particular event celebrated the 33rd anniversary of Fellbach carnival club 'Weingeister' = wine ghosts. 80 invited groups took part.
The Swabian-Alemannic carnival takes place in Baden and Swabia, Switzerland, Alsace/France and Vorarlberg/Austria. It traditionally represents the time of the year when the reign of the cold, grim winter spirits is over and they are driven out. Many local carnival customs are based on pre-Christian rituals, e.g. those involving masked figures.
In Germany two distinct varieties of carnival are held. The primeval Swabian-Alemmanic one and the Rhenish Carnival in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland Palatinate, which is famous for its parades with political floats, maginificent sessions and costume balls. Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz Carnival are the largest and most famous.
Carnival is a festive season with its main events immediately before Lent, the fasting period. It involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life! The carnival season is traditionally opened on 11/11 at 11:11 a.m. and is called the '5th Season'. This dates back to celebrations before the former longer Advent season (40 days) or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin's Day.
In Germany, Switzerland and Austria the crunch mode i.e. carnival week begins on Fat Thursday, also called 'The Women's Day', in commemoration of an 1824 revolt by washer-women; fool's guilds make a run on the town halls and take over, women cut men's ties and are allowed to kiss any man who passes their way. Parades are held during the weekend with the main festivities occurring on Rose Monday. Shrove Tuesday = Pancake Day is celebrated in certain areas.
Today, on Ash Wednesday, everything is over.
The Swabian-Alemannic carnival takes place in Baden and Swabia, Switzerland, Alsace/France and Vorarlberg/Austria. It traditionally represents the time of the year when the reign of the cold, grim winter spirits is over and they are driven out. Many local carnival customs are based on pre-Christian rituals, e.g. those involving masked figures.
In Germany two distinct varieties of carnival are held. The primeval Swabian-Alemmanic one and the Rhenish Carnival in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland Palatinate, which is famous for its parades with political floats, maginificent sessions and costume balls. Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz Carnival are the largest and most famous.
Carnival is a festive season with its main events immediately before Lent, the fasting period. It involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of a circus, mask and public street party. People often dress up or masquerade during the celebrations, which mark an overturning of daily life! The carnival season is traditionally opened on 11/11 at 11:11 a.m. and is called the '5th Season'. This dates back to celebrations before the former longer Advent season (40 days) or with harvest celebrations of St. Martin's Day.
In Germany, Switzerland and Austria the crunch mode i.e. carnival week begins on Fat Thursday, also called 'The Women's Day', in commemoration of an 1824 revolt by washer-women; fool's guilds make a run on the town halls and take over, women cut men's ties and are allowed to kiss any man who passes their way. Parades are held during the weekend with the main festivities occurring on Rose Monday. Shrove Tuesday = Pancake Day is celebrated in certain areas.
Today, on Ash Wednesday, everything is over.