Traditions help connect people to one another and to the places where they live. In Bonn, Germany, one of the most important local traditions is Karneval. This festival lasts several weeks and includes costumes, music and large public events. Learning about Karneval helped me understand how communities celebrate history, culture and shared traditions.
I learned about Karneval, a winter festival celebrated throughout the Rhineland region of Germany. It officially begins on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. and ends on Ash Wednesday, which, this year, falls on February 18th. After the opening celebration in November, smaller events take place until the final week before Ash Wednesday, when schools close and many workplaces shorten their hours.
During Karneval, people of all ages dress in costumes similar to Halloween, attend parades, and enjoy music and dancing. There are some very important holidays during this time, one being Weiberfastnacht, a day focused on fun traditions and community celebration. Another important day is Rosenmontag, which is the biggest parade day with large floats, music, and candy. During the parades, crowds cheer and shout “Alaaf!” while floats throw candy, called Kamelle, to the people watching.
