Fasching..Karneval..Fastnacht..Mardi Gras..Fastnet..Fasaneer
Click on the pictures below to see more examples of differences in the celebrations and costumes that occur, depending on where one lives.
Karneval, Fastnacht or Fassenacht, most famous in the Rheinland area of Germany in Mainz and Köln, .
Fasching , Fastnacht, Fastnet or Fasaneer, most famous in southern Germany and Switzerland.
Carnival, most famous in Venice, Italy.
Karneval, most famous in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mardi Gras, most famous in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
|
WHAT ARE THEY? These are different names of the celebration that takes place before Lent. The name that is used depends on which part of Germany and the world you live in. It is known as the 5th Season in Germany.
WHEN DO THEY BEGIN? This season officially begins on Nov. 11th at 11:11, but it doesn't start with the activities like parties and celebrations until about the week before Lent. In some countries and areas of Germany the celebration gets going earlier in January, after Epiphany. WHAT GOES ON? It is a time of parties, balls (fancy costume parties), parades, and fun. During this time, people dress up in costumes and masks for the parties and parades that take place. There are also bands and floats in the parades. Many people throw candy, confetti, and random treats and small presents while walking in the parade or riding on the floats. Some costumes are scary, some are funny, and some are very elaborate. Weiberfastnacht takes place on the Thursday before Lent in many areas of Germany. This is a special day for the ladies as they are allowed to cut men’s ties and have extra time to party for themselves. Rosenmontag -The day before Shrove Tuesday is not an official holiday but many people, especially in the Rhineland, get the day off to take part in the Karneval celebrations, including masked balls, fancy-dress parties, and parades. Almost every town has its own carnival prince and princess. Faschingsdienstag - Shrove Tuesday is the final day of Fasching in southern Germany, with processions and fancy-dress parties similar to Rosenmontag in the northwest. In the far south, ancient customs to drive out the winter with bells and drums survive. Aschermittwoch -Ash Wednesday marks the end of the carnival season and the beginning of Lent. It is celebrated in the Catholic Church but it is not a public holiday. The parades and celebrations look different in different areas and countries depending on climate and traditions. WHY CELEBRATE? HOW DID THIS CELEBRATION ORIGINATE? There were religious, symbolic, and political reasons for celebrating Fasching. For Catholics, it provided a festive season of food and fun before the Lenten fasting period would begin. In pre-Christian times, Karnival celebrations symbolized the driving out of winter and all of its evil spirits. Hence the masks to "scare" away these spirits. The carnival celebrations in southern Germany and Switzerland reflect these traditions. Some carnival traditions can be traced back to political and historical events. Out of protest against foreign oppression, Germans from Cologne and surrounding areas would mock their politicians and leaders safely behind masks during carnival. WHERE ARE THEY CELEBRATED? These celebrations take place all over the world. Some of the famous celebrations or parades are in Mainz and Cologne, Germany; Venice, Italy; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. WHEN DO THEY END? The celebrations end on Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday), or midnight of Faschingdiesnstag (Shrove Tuesday) . A Kreppel or Berliner (jelly-filled or plain doughnuts), Luftschlange (streamer), und Konfetti are well known icons during Fasching.
Sources and more information: https://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/fasching-and-karneval/ https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/karneval-fasching/ http://www.germanculture.com.ua/library/weekly/fasching.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_in_Germany,_Switzerland_and_Austria http://german.about.com/od/culture/tp/Fasching-In-Germany.htm http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/04__W__t__G/01/02__Carnival/__Carnival.html http://www.germany.info/Vertretung/usa/en/__pr/GIC/TWIG__WoW/2013/42-Alaaf-Helau.html |
Below are short clips about Carnival in Germany .
|
|
Kreppel or Beliner are Fasching favorites. Have you ever wondered how they are made and the jelly gets inside? Then see below.
|
Learn how to do the Chicken Dance and fit right in at German celebrations.
|
Photos used under Creative Commons from