Category Archives: Season 2025/2026

👑 Inauguration of UNiversa Skirmante

It’s official – UNiversa Skirmante has been proclaimed at BonnExpat Alaaf! on January 28^th!

The proclamation of UNiversa Skirmante | © UNFunken

A huge thank you to Mayor Guido Déus and Bonn Expat for making her proclamation part of such a joyful Carnival celebration. We had such an amazing evening. A special thank you to the Moderators of this amazing party, the wonderful “lioness” Deputy Mayor Dr. Ursula Sautter and Susanne Nolden.

At the proclamation of UNiversa Skirmante | © UNFunken

Thank you to Bonna Stephanie III. and Prince Roland I., Wäscherprinzessin Judith I., Liküra Karoline I., Godesia Eva-Maria I. and Prince Gregor I., the dance group from the KG “Klääv Botz” Aegidienberg for your wonderful performance, for the visit of their Child Prince Michel I. and Princess Lilli I. and the carnival band “Jot Drop”.

And thank you our partners for this carnival session UN Women Germany, everyone from Stadt Bonn who organized and all the revelers who attended this fun event celebrating carnival.

UNFunken at the proclamation of Prince Roland I. and Bonna Stephanie III. | Photo: Arno Schatz, karneval-paparazzi.de

Proclamation of Prince Roland I and Bonna Stephanie III

Congratulations to Prinz Roland I and Bonna Stephanie III from the Festausschuss Bonner Karneval on their proclamation tonight.

UNiversa Skirmante and the UNFunken were delighted to celebrate with you on this momentous occasion at the Maritim Hotel, we wish you both a wonderful session under the motto “200 years of Carnival in Bonn: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”!

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.

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 | Photo: Larissa Neubauer

Notification of the 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.

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

Session 2025/2026 Opening

All UN Sparkles: Meet us at the Bonn market place on November 11^th 11:11 a.m. Wear blue and join the crowd in welcoming the 200th session of carnival in Bonn.

UNiverso Gaurang I. with the UN Funken medal | Photo: Larissa Neubauer

💸 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.

General Assembly 2025

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.