In February, the — Fastnacht or Fasching carnival takes place in Catholic regions of Germany. Carnivals held in Munich and Cologne are known all over the world.
Preparations for the carnival, like everyone else in Germany, begin ahead of time, back in November. On November 11 at 11:11 am, the first meetings of carnival activists are held throughout the country, and the beginning of the 5th season of the — carnival is officially announced. On this day, you can meet people in carnival costumes on the streets for the first time.
There are handwritten testimonies about the celebration of the carnival in Munich as early as 1295. Why not, after a boring winter, when practically no work is possible, arrange a fun holiday for yourself before the harsh Lent begins, and then difficult summer worries.
Modern people also need a short pause from worries. Therefore, Munich, a center of culture, science and politics, temporarily turns into a place of entertainment and jokes. Wine and fun — what could be more wonderful?!
Carnival week begins with attending a church service on Thursday morning (Weiberfastnacht) — until 12 noon — and ends on Wednesday afternoon.
The beginning of the carnival (Weiberfastnacht) is celebrated only by women. They dress up as witches, fairground traders, and drafts. Men, entering a restaurant that day, risk leaving there without clothes — this is how seriously amused women can joke.
The main event of the holiday is considered to be Rosenmontag (translated as — frantic magnificent Monday) — carnival procession. It resembles a demonstration: car traffic is blocked and dressed clowns, princesses, kings, barons, all kinds of orchestras, girls, despite the weather, dressed in short carnival dresses, walk and drive along the central streets of the city for several hours in a row. Everyone sings, shouts greetings, throws confetti and candy into the crowd of spectators, and distributes cups of beer and wine. The procession ends in one of the large squares of the city with greetings from the participants and a concert.
On Tuesday, children dress up in carnival costumes, and in the morning they come to school dressed up. Immediately after school, they will go home (modern little carnivalists go shopping), where they are already welcome with sweets and small souvenirs.
On this day, stores and bakeries sell donuts with jam «Berliner», among which you can find «happy» with mustard or a coin, depending on your luck.
The holiday ends on Ash Wednesday with a church service: «Repent and believe in the Gospel». And Fastnacht — begins a strict fast.