Helau!!
It's a special time of year at the moment. Groups of people have been working hard, possibly for months, to prepare for the next week.
OK, it's confession time. I had no idea about Carnival until I moved to Germany 😯.
That's not quite true. I had read or heard a few things, but didn't really understand until people here started telling me about it.
But it's something you have to see for yourself. And I did. I watched the Frankfurt Carnival Parade (1) and was totally amazed!!
First of all, the costumes (2). Yes, many of the people in the parade were in fancy dress (3) and looked fantastic, but what surprised me was the number of people watching the parade who had also dressed up!
Then there was the variety of groups in the parade. There were bands, dancers and so much more. It was great 👏.
And this is just Frankfurt. A lot of students tell me that the Carnival Parade in Frankfurt isn't so special. If I really want to experience Carnival, I should go to Mainz, Cologne or Düsseldorf.
Part of me wants to, because it must be an amazing sight (and atmosphere!).
But I don't know if I ever will. I have heard that in these cities, it is almost expected that the people in the crowd wear some sort of costume. Sorry, that just isn't me 🥴.
Then there are the crowds - much bigger than in Frankfurt. Unfortunately that doesn't excite me either.
But Carnival is more than the parades. I have learned about 'Ladies Carnival' and the tie cutting tradition. I have even seen it - in one of my Thursday classes. The ladies came prepared with a huge pair of scissors and the poor guy sat there patiently while they hacked (4) off his tie.
He knew they were going to. After class he was going to his office where a colleague also liked to cut men's ties, so he had brought a second tie with him, to wear for her. What a gentleman!!
Are you a big fan of Carnival ? Do you carefully plan a costume each year and go and watch (or take part in!) a Parade? I'd love to hear all the details!
Enjoy the craziness 🎉
Andrea
(1) parade - a public procession for a special event. A long line of different people or groups who travel down a street usually on foot or on vehicles (floats).
(2) costume - 'clothing' to make the wearer look like a special person or thing or like they are from a special place.
(3) fancy dress - a costume
(4) hack - to cut, but not smoothly or skillfully
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