Feb 12, 2018
Rosenmontag 2018


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While Carnival is observed by countries all across the world, celebrations in Germany are marked by delightful traditions, and take on different names in different parts of the country.

For Karneval celebrators in Rhineland, the Rosenmontag [[Rose Monday) parade takes center stage on the Monday before Ash Wednesday. Every town hosts a parade complete with floats and candy-tossing, while participants dress up in Funkenmariechen [[traditional costumes). Shouts of "Alaaf!" [[the fool’s call, which translates roughly to “may he live well” and "Helau!"[[a call representing the fun of joy) fill the streets until Veilchendienstag, [[Violet Tuesday) the next day.

In Berlin, Brandenburg or Saxony, Fasching celebrations take a similar form, but begin in earnest on Schmutziger Donnerstag, or ‘Fat Thursday’. In southwestern Germany and northern Bavaria, you may find yourself celebrating Fastnacht, sporting elaborately carved masks depicting witches and other animals in the wild.