The “fifth season of the year” as Carnival is called, begins on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. The real “crazy days” do not start before Weiberfastnacht (Shrove Thursday), the Thursday before Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). The “crazy days” of carnival are celebrated with parties on the streets, in public squares and in pubs.
The UN Funken contribute to integrating the UN and Expat community in Bonn to the traditional celebration of carnival. Our figurehead is called UNiversa/o/e and is proclaimed by the Mayor of Bonn at Bonn Expat Carnival by the City of Bonn. The association participates in carnival events and the annual carnival parade on Rose Monday. For more information write to info@unfunken.org
What is Carnival? Carnival has pagan and christian roots. Today, the crazy days feature parties and colourful costumes and it is a time where the world is turned upside down and people of the region can let their hair down.
Why is Rose Monday special? The Rosenmontagszug (parade) takes place on Rose Monday. In Bonn the parade is around four kms long with 3 – 5,000 people marching and attended by hundred-thousands of people. Part of the Rosenmontagszug are not just the traditional marching bands, horses and dancers, often mocking the Napoleonic and Prussian troops which occupied the Rhineland in the past, but also giant floats, making reference to local traditions or events.
Who are Jecken? A Jeck is any person that participates in the Carnival. The j is pronounced like the y in the English word yam. Contrary to members of official Carnival Clubs (Karnevalsverein) who are called Karnevalisten, anyone can be a Jeck or Jecken (plural).
Isch saach nur Alaaf… I just say Alaaf. This is the salute and greeting of Carnival revellers in Bonn. The origin and meaning of this word is not a hundred percent clear, but probably derives from ‘long live. So, three times Bonn Alaaf!
Shout for KAMELLE! This is highly recommended for the parades. Kamelle means candies and sweets. Traditionally, sweets are thrown by the participants in the parade. Those preferring flowers to candy should shout “Strüssje” instead and catch their little bunch of spring flowers. During the Rosenmontagszug, every year 300 tons of Kamelle are thrown to the delight of children and other sugar-fiends. Jecken have developed various strategies to catch as much flying candy as they can, using anything from their bare hands to umbrellas.
Who are the symbol figures of carnival? There are many royal representatives (Tollitäten) of carnival in the region. In the Bonn region you have Prinz and Bonna (Bonn), Prinz and Godesia (Bad Godesberg), Wascherprincess (Beuel), LiKüRa (Limperich, Küdinghoven und Ramersdorf) , UNiversa/o/e (UN Funken) and many others.
Carnival and politics – how to make fun of authorities. Mockery and satire play a major role in Carnival. Prussian occupation in 19th century prohibited carnival several times. However, the Rhenish could not be detracted from celebrating. Carnival is the occasion to talk about politics and social issues and is characterized by exaggerated and satirizing comments to this day.
Carnival takes over: the storming of the Town Hall During Carnival, the Prince and the Bonna become the regents of city and administration. As a symbol for this takeover of power, the carnevalistic troops traditionally storm the Old Town Hall on the Market Square and win the symbolic, big key of the city. This happens on the Sunday afternoon before Rose Monday and is really a spectacle to watch!
What’s a Viedelszooch? In an early tradition, Carnival revelers paraded through their districts (Vierdel). It was about meeting friends, walking around the neighborhood, knocking at the doors and inviting others to join the party. This tradition has lasted until today. It is not about beautiful, expensive wagons or lots of candy, but about meeting friends, laughing and partying. Everybody can be part of it – that is what makes it charming and special!
Why do Carnival fleets have a motto? Besides the fleets of the traditional Carnival associations, the parades feature motto fleets. In a creative manner, the artists our draw attention to political issues or prominent persons in public life. Carnival is open space for opinions.
Who are the people in the guard uniforms? During Prussian occupancy, the occupants tried to intimidate the local citizens with military parades. The Rhenish reacted in their usual way: they made fun of the parades. They put on the historical uniforms and started parading themselves. This was the offspring of many different Carnival groups and associations that make our celebrations colorful to this day.
Thursday before the crazy weekend, Women’s Carnival – Wieverfastelovend This very special holiday originates from Beuel. Although early Carnival was open only to men, washer women in Beuel revolted and started their own celebration of Carnival called Wieverfastelovend. The custom of cutting and collecting ties as a tribute to women’s liberation has spread from Bonn to other hotspots of Carnival.
Kiss or be kissed Another carnival custom of Weiberfastnacht is the so called Bützchen, a kiss on the cheek. This should not be mistaken as a declaration of passion but simply as a sign of carnivalistic camaraderie and joy. Of course you can always refuse a bützche.
Dates to remember
Expat Carnival Crowning ceremony of UNiversa/e/o hosted by Bonn Expat usually in Feburary
Shrove Thursday Women’s Day! Washer women storm the City Hall of Beuel – lots of events and partying in Bonns’ pubs
Carnival Saturday Every city district has their own parade – with endless partying.
Carnival Sunday The carnivalistic forces overrun the Old Town Hall – a colourful spectacle with splendid uniforms, cavalry and canons.
Rose Monday The biggest parade of Bonn in February or early March
More information can be found here:
