November 28, 2011
Cologne: Karnival
The Cologne Carnival is a carnival that takes place every year. Traditionally, the “fifth season” (carnival season) is declared open at 11 minutes past 11 on the 11th of November. But, the time of merrymaking in the streets is officially declared open at downtown square Alter Market on the Thursday before the beginning of Lent. Street carnival, a week-long street festival, also called “the crazy days”, takes place between the Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) and ends on Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). The highlight of the carnival is Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), two days before Ash Wednesday. All through these days, Cologne folks go out masqueraded. The typical greeting during the festival is Kölle Alaaf!, a Kölsch (Cologne) phrase which can be translated as “Cologne above all!”
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