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This is the time when certain areas in Germany celebrate their “fifth season.” It is known as the crazy season and depending on the area it is called Fastnacht, Fasching or Karneval. In the Pfalz it’s called “Fassenacht” or “Fastnacht,” in Bavaria it’s “Fasching” and in the Cologne area it’s “Karneval.”
Fasching officially begins 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month. Carnival clubs and associations start preparations for all kinds of events, including parades taking place during the fifth season which ends on Ash Wednesday – Feb. 17 this year.
In the first week of the new year, carnival clubs crown their new Fastnacht princess or prince. The mayor hands them the keys to the city or village and thus the executive power. Fasching celebrations officially can start now.
“Maskenball” (masquerade ball), “Faschingstanz” (Fasching dance), “Prunksitzung” (pomp session) – these are the events being announced on signs, posters or in advertisements in newspapers for the next four and a half weeks.
There are parties, dances, funny speeches and parades. It’s a time for being crazy and wild, cheering up, having fun and most importantly factor, it’s the time to disguise.
Visitors of Fasching events are encouraged to dress up in costumes. If they are not in disguise, they have to pay a higher admission fee when entering Fasching events in community halls, culture centers, gyms and gasthouses. Some organizations conduct costume contests and hand out prizes.
During Fasching, women do not need a male escort when going to a dance. It’s even up to them to ask the men for a dance – and the men had better not say “no.”
A typical Fasching event is the “Prunksitzung,” which literally translated means pomp session. Traditionally, carnival associations sponsor and organize this event. Amateur comedians hold, in their local dialect, humorous speeches spiced with sarcasm about local happenings, people or politics in general.
In between speeches, carnival club members sing and present dances. A committee consisting of a president and 11 counselors watch the session from their seats in the back of the stage. After each performance, committee members present medals to the performers.
Fastnacht has its origin in ancient times, when people realized that with the start of a new year, spring would soon be on its way.
To make it possible for spring to arrive, the demons of winter had to be chased away. Therefore, people dressed in evil-looking costumes and masks. They danced in the streets looking like devils, demons and witches and used noise-making devices, bells and drums to scare away the winter ghosts.
Through the centuries, the season developed into a Christian ritual. The literal translation of the word “Fastnacht” means “night of fasting.”
Today it’s the time of merriment and laughter preceding Lent, the 40-day period before Easter.
The word Karneval also refers to the fasting period. The Latin expression “carne vale” means “farewell, meat” and describes the time of celebrations before Lent, when people have to renounce meat, opulent meals and festivities.
The main days of the carnival season are Altweiberfasching (Old Women’s Fasching) Feb. 11, Rose Monday Feb. 15 and Fat Tuesday Feb. 16.
Rose Monday is known for colorful parades with floats, musicians, dancers and walking groups in creative costumes going.
The biggest parade in the Westpfalz area is in Ramstein-Miesenbach Feb. 16.
The local carnival association Bruchkatze, which sponsors the parade, is still looking for American participants. Anypone can take part. To register and for more information, call the 86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office at 480-2094.
