Club_Life_and_Calendar_of

KÖLNER KARNEVAL

In Cologne they call Karneval--the period between November 11 and Ash-Wednesday--the "Fifth Season of the Year".

These opening ceremonies are when the Karneval Honor Guard--at least in the Rhineland, in Cologne, Bonn or Mainz-- is on the march. The jesters flood into the streets, and for one great day they revel in merry anticipation. Then it's over again for a while--but only for outsiders. In carnival clubs, street and neighborhood groups, there are now regular meetings and activities, as the preparations for "die tollen Tage," the crazy days to come, are in full swing.

After that official initiation in November, Karneval festivitiea resume on New Year's Day or immediately following "Twelfth Night" (the Festival of the Epiphany), on January 6, and ends with Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. At those parties, dances and balls, folks wear "Kappen" (fools caps) and often wild masks and costumes.

In each city a Prinz Karneval, referred to as "His Crazy Highness," is elected to head with his princess, or Prinzessin; and a retinue of fools, his "court of fools", that lead the frolics.

On Shrove Tuesday the crazy couple will move with their retinue into the Rathaus (City Hall) to govern until midnight, when the merrymaking and foolishness comes to a sudden halt, yielding to the observation of Lent.

ROOTS OF KARNIVAL

The Karneval of Cologne has its roots in ancient times. Cologne, founded by the Romans in 38 B.C. was named Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensum, after Julia Agrippina, daughter of the Roman General Germanicus, who married Rome's Emperor Claudius.

The cultures that evolved in Cologne side by side, the Roman and the Germanic, laid down the roots of Karneval.

Numerous features of Karneval such as the masks, fancy costumes, parades and floats were also part of the ancient Roman Saturnalia (in December) and Lupercalia festivities (in February).

Blended with the Germanic peoples' rites of Spring, they became the foundation upon which the Christian Church laid new interpretations and symbols of that religious season.

The early Karneval celebrations in Cologne had been organized by craft guilds. In 1823, citizens formed Karneval societies and the Romantic spirit of the times and renewed interest in classic Greece and Rome, provided inspiration for Karneval themes. A symbolic figure, "Prinz Karneval" and his "Pinzessin, assisted by two other picturesque figures; the "Kouml -- lnische Bauer" (Cologne Peasant) and the "Kouml -- lnische Jungfraü (Cologne Virgin, portrayed by a man) became the principals.

The numerous independent parades of masked groups were combined into one big parade culminating in the "Prince's" float.

Organized by firmly established Karneval societies, independent groups, which sometimes competed with one another, Karneval began to flourish. Extremely elaborate gatherings were held for the preparations. From these gradually developed today's popular "Kappensitzungen" (fools' sessions), often shown on TV. The Cologne practice spread to other Rhenish cities, Mainz and Düsseldorf.

MODERN KARNEVAL - COLOGNE

Today, "Karneval in Köln" is bigger, noisier and merrier than ever. The Rhenish Karneval traditions are shared with Mainz and Düsseldorf as well as the larger and smaller towns in the vicinity of Cologne. Along the Rhine every town has a "Prinz" and "Prinzessin" (Prince and Princess) who command a uniformed guard, the "Prinzengarde" (Prince's Garde), and parades with brass bands, dancers, officers on horseback, musketeers and infantrymen, all dressed in 18th century costume.

Before the season culminates in the Rose Monday Parade, there are balls, parties and the famous "Büttensitzungen".

"Bütten" (barrel) speakers are expected to be hilariously funny, witty and clever. The speeches range from funny to satirical and highly political. The speakers enjoy "Narrenfreiheit" (fools' liberty) as the license of the traditional court jester who had the liberty to speak unpopular truths as long as they were cloaked into the forms of jokes. Such an evening is further enlivened by skits, dance entertainment, music, and much food, libation and song.

Karneval is also the high season for "Tünnes und Schäl," two characters, who illustrate and poke fun of the good citizens of Cologne. Tünnes, a somewhat simple and good natured 'man from the countryside', but no dummy, is dressed in casual and not necessarily matching attire, while Schäl, correct in derby hat and tie, displays proper, conforming respectability. Together they enliven Karneval events and festivities. Tünnes and Schäl jokes abound, often addressing, with humor, political and civic issues.

ROSE MONDAY

Since the Karneval season began in November, the "Elferrat" (Council of Eleven) together with other Karneval societies have planned the festivities that reach their climax in a huge Rose Monday parade with floats, representing satirical, political and traditional topics. This is the culmination of many months of parties and events by city carnival societies.

The Rose Monday parade, as is the entire carnival season, is presided over by the "Dreigestirn" (the Triumpherate), Prinz and Prinzessin Karneval, the Maiden (portrayed by a man) symbolizing the city of Cologne, the Bauer (farmer), representing the tradesmen and farmers who made Cologne great, and their entire court. These offices are very highly coveted and usually go to prominent citizens --- as it is not inexpensive to be a member of the "Triumpherate".

The parade, which is several miles long, is repleat with uniformed contingents, brass bands, dancers and the famous floats; satirizing current politics with huge Papier-mache figures. The persons on the floats throw tons of "Kamelle" (candy) into the crowds who line the streets in the hundreds of thousands.

PRINZENGARDE UND FUNKENGARDE

In the parade also marches the "Kölsche Funke" ("sparks" or Karneval Society members) and the "Prinzengarde" (prince's guard) created as a parody of a Prussian drill team.

Dressed in 18th century uniforms with red coats, white wigs and three-cornered hats, this drill team carries out some irreverent maneuvers, occasionally bending over and wagging their posteriors at authority.

With them march the Funkengarde dancers or "Funken Mariechen" (Mary of the Sparks,) high stepping dancing majorettes, girls and women dressed in white wigs, three-pointed hats and red uniforms. On Karneval floats and during celebrations, they dance, do cartwheels, the splits and get lifted high by their partners. The performances of the Funken Mariechen have, over the years, led to a very specific and acrobatic dance form, and there are serious annual competitions held.

KEHRAUS

In the climactic end phase of the Karneval season, from Sunday to Tuesday, normal life in Cologne comes to a virtual standstill. The key to the city is taken away for the "drei tollen Tage" by Prinz Karneval. Shops, offices, and public buildings are closed.

On "Faschingsdienstag" (Shrove Tuesday) it all ends with the "Kehraus" (from auskehren, to sweep out) when, by the stroke of midnight, the merrymaking comes to an end. Crowds may gather to observe the burning of the spirit of Karneval in effigy. On Ash Wednesday begins the reflective period leading to Easter.

"Kölsch" -- Karneval in the Cologne dialect:

Alaaf - Helau: originally the greeting of the City of Cologne in the Rhineland, it means "Lebe hoch" and has become a Karneval greeting.

Helau: general expression of cheer and joyfulness.

Koelle Alaaf: a "cheer to the City of Cologne."

Elf: oldest Cologne Karneval motto "Ey Lustig Fröhlich - ELF."

Jeck: person born in Cologne.

Imi: Not born in Cologne, but living there.

All others: "Fründe" (Freunde), "Jäste" (Gäste) or "Besök" (Besuch).

Fasteleer or Fastelofvend: Karneval in Cologne.

Wieverfastelovend: the first day of the women's carnival. Tie wearers beware for, according to custom, your tie can be be cut off.

Zoch: (from Zug) parade.

Fastelovendszoch: Rose Monday Parade.

Funken: Jeckengroups in uniforms.

Sitzung: meeting of Faschingsverein, where there is music, singing, dancing and Schunkeln.

Schunkeln: you link arms with the persons next to you and swing with the music.

Bütten: a barrel.

Büttensitzung: The main feature of a Büttensitzung is that a speaker literally stands inside of, and speaks from a barrel.