Category Archives: Date

Loss mer fiere – 200 Jecke Johr en Bonn
Loss mer fiere – 200 Jecke Johr en Bonn © Firma Kreuder/Bundesstadt Bonn

Touring exhibition 200 years of Carnival in Bonn

Carnival and sustainability – can they go together? At UNFunken, we think Yes! And since yesterday, this is even part of an exhibition in Bonn.

Medal and Kamelle
UNFunken Medal and Kamelle | © UNFunken

The Federal City of Bonn is celebrating 200 Years Of Carnival this year with the traveling exhibition “Loss mer fiere. 200 jecke Johr en Bonn”. It showcases highlights from the rich and diverse history of Carnival, which began with the founding of the “Bönnische Carnevals-Gesellschaft” in 1826. We’re delighted to be represented with one of our sustainable wooden medals.

Come and take a look! Until October 2026, the exhibition will travel in a container through all city districts. At the moment, it’s located at Bonn’s Market Square.

More information about the exhibition can be found here: bonn.de

UNiversa Skirmante's cap & pins
UNiversa Skirmante's cap & pins | Photo: Larissa Neubauer

🔵 Inauguration of UNiversa Skirmante at “BonnExpat Alaaf!”

The Mayor of Bonn will continue the tradition of hosting

“BonnExpat Alaaf!” in the Old Town Hall on Wednesday, January 28, at 6 pm, 

Learn about beautiful Rhenish Carnival traditions, meet Carnival royalty—starting with Prince and Bonna—and watch the inauguration of UNiversa Skirmante of UN Funken, Bonn’s international Carnival association founded by UN Bonn staff members. And, of course, enjoy a party with music, dancing, and drinks.

More info on https://international.bonn.de/

Introducing the 2026 session Orden and Pins

UNiversa Skirmante has chosen the forget-me-not flower and peace dove as her symbols for the season — representing remembrance, unity, and the enduring value of peace and justice.

In her home country, Lithuania, the forget-me-not holds a special meaning of respect, resilience, and collective memory, reflecting shared values of freedom, integrity, and solidarity and is typically worn or displayed to show gratitude and to pledge to not forget those who have sacrificed their lives.

A collage of photos showing UNFunken members working at the new orden.
Making of the new Orden. (c) UN Funken

This symbolism beautifully connects with SDG 16, promoting inclusive societies, strong institutions, and lasting harmony, while embracing the Festausschuss Bonner Karneval motto “200 Jahre Bonner Karneval – jestern, hück und morje” — reminding us to cherish our traditions today so that peace and unity can flourish tomorrow.

Each Orden is made from FSC-certified wood using solar power and sewn together with cotton by our talented UNFunken Sparkles. The matching pin features a felt forget-me-not and a peace dove carrying an olive branch — a small but powerful reminder of hope and harmony.

The carnival session has begun

The carnival session has begun and UNiversa Skirmante and the UNFunken were in Bonn at the Marktplatz to greet the season.
Thank you to Prinz Roland I and Bonna Stephanie III, Kinder Prinz Noah I and Bonna Leonie I, the Festausschuss Bonner Karneval and Mayor Guido Déus for bringing the sunshine and a wonderful program to the stage under the motto “200 Jahre Bonner Karneval – jestern, hück und morje”.
We are looking forward to meeting old and new friends throughout this carnival session! 3 x Alaaf

Collage of the UNFunken at the session opening
Collage of the UNFunken at the session opening 2025-2026 © UNFunken
UNiverso Gaurang I. with the UN Funken medal
UNiverso Gaurang I. with the UN Funken medal | Photo: Larissa Neubauer

đź’¸ Crowdfunding Campaign for sustainable Ordens

We have started a crowdfunding campaign on the platform „Viele schaffen mehr“ (many achieve more). We want to raise funds for our sustainable wooden Ordens for this session and beyond. 

The benefit of asking for donations via this platform: The bank will top up each donation from an individual donor of more than 5 Euros with another 10 Euros. More smaller donations mean more added money from the bank.

The campaign will run until 26 November 2025. If we reach our funding goal of 1,000 Euros, we will get this amount plus the matching amounts from the hosting bank. Any amount beyond our goal will also be ours. Should we not reach the goal, donators will receive their money back. And we will get NOTHING. Hard to imagine that this could happen though with such an engaged group of members and friends. 

Summer night at the museum

The UNFunken and UNiversa Skirmante visited the Heimatmuseum Beuel at the invitation of the Heimat und Geschichtsverein Beuel am Rhein e.V. yesterday. Thank you for opening your doors to us and giving us the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed evening together and to take a look behind the scenes of your wonderful museum.

We highly recommend a visit – check out https://www.hgv-beuel.de/ for more information.

Die UNFunken und Gäste im Beueler Heimatmuseum
Obermöhn Patty Burgunder von der Beueler Weiberfastnacht, designierte Wäscherprinzessin 2026 Judith I. und des. Universa Skirmante
Die UNFunken und Gäste im Beueler Heimatmuseum
The UNFunken and guests at the Beueler Heimatmuseum

We would also like to thank Wäscherprinzessin 2026 designate Judith I and Obermöhn Patty Burgunder of Beueler Weiberfastnacht, as well as Lord Mayor Katja Dörner and our friends Biggi from Bonn Information and Dirk for joining us.

General Assembly 2025

Impressions from our General Assembly
Impressions from our General Assembly

Impressions from our General Assembly yesterday……the serious business of carnival🤡

Thank you to all the UNFunken members who attended yesterday either in person, online or in spirit. President Heidi, Secretary Ute and Treasurer Audrey were unanimously voted to continue as the board to lead the sparkles for the next two years.

Congratulations again to our next UNiversa Skirmante. We are planning for an exciting session and we can’t wait for it to begin.

UNiverso Gaurang I.
UNiverso Gaurang I. | Photo: Larissa Neubauer

Ash Wednesday

On Ash Wednesday everything is over…and we had a wonderful session.

Our UNiverso Gaurang (Thanekar) and the UN Funken are grateful for all the encouragement and support we have received and hope everyone had a fabulous and fun carnival session.

Thank you to the Festausschuss Bonner Karneval and Stadt Bonn for all their support and organization throughout such a long session, but thankfully it starts again on the 11/11 and we will be there to celebrate the 200th year anniversary of carnival in Bonn!