Carnaval(الكرنفال) في 🇩🇪 ألمانيا

German Carnival, known as Karneval in the Rhineland and Fasching in Bavaria and Austria, is a centuries-old tradition that reaches its peak in the days before Ash Wednesday. The Rhineland cities of Cologne, Dusseldorf, and Mainz are the epicenters of celebration, with Cologne's Karneval being the largest and most famous.

The official Carnival season begins on November 11 at 11:11 AM, a nod to the significance of the number eleven in Carnival tradition. The festivities intensify during the final week, known as the crazy days. Weiberfastnacht, or Women's Carnival Thursday, marks the beginning of the street festivities, when women traditionally cut off men's neckties with scissors and claim a kiss. The streets of Cologne fill with costumed revelers from early morning.

Rosenmontag, Rose Monday, features the highlight of the season: massive parades through the city centers. The Cologne Rosenmontag parade stretches for seven kilometers and features elaborate floats that satirize politicians and current events, marching bands, and dance groups. Spectators shout Kamelle (candy) and Strussjer (flowers) as performers on the floats throw sweets, chocolates, and bouquets into the crowd. Millions of individual candies are distributed.

The Carnival spirit, known as Fastelovend in Cologne dialect, temporarily dissolves social hierarchies and encourages abandon. Signature Carnival songs like Viva Colonia are sung in every pub and on every street corner. Kolsch beer flows freely in Cologne, and the traditional Carnival food includes Berliner (jelly-filled doughnuts), Muzen (fried pastries), and hearty pub dishes. The celebration ends abruptly at midnight on Shrove Tuesday with the symbolic burning of the Nubbel straw figure, which absorbs all sins committed during Carnival.

Pre-Lenten festival celebrated with parades, masquerades, music, and dancing in the days before Ash Wednesday, most famously in Rio de Janeiro, Venice, and New Orleans.