Tens of thousands of people dressed in colorful costumes, singing and dancing, this year's slogan is "Ov krüzz oder quer" (Whatever way or direction). This reminds us of the amazing power of Carnival, explains Christoph Kockelkorn, Chairman of the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee.
“Even in times of war, severe economic crises and more recently during the Corona epidemic - the carnival is a constant for the people of Cologne, it is a support in difficult times, a break from the problems of everyday life.”
Traditionally, the Cologne Carnival opens its doors to the public at eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11.11.11). It is also celebrated in some other German cities located on the banks of the Rhine. This timing is considered magical in some cities in Germany because it indicates the official beginning of what some call the “fifth season” of the carnival.
Long history
About 2,000 years ago, Cologne was still called Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium. In the city founded by the Romans, as everywhere in the Roman Empire, the holiday of Saturnalia was celebrated in honor of the god Saturn.
There was much drinking and dancing, and to amuse everyone, the wealthy exchanged their beautiful robes for the simple clothes of their slaves.
When Emperor Constantine made Christianity the state religion in 343, Saturnalia ended. But since people did not want to be prevented from celebrating, the festival was reinterpreted: it was no longer about exorcism, but about Satan - the greatest enemy of Christianity.
Carnival thus established itself as a church festival that prevailed primarily in Catholic regions – and not just in Europe: conquistadors from Spain and Portugal also brought their Carnival to the Caribbean and Central and South America. Successfully: Every year in Rio de Janeiro, tens of thousands celebrate with a huge street party to the sounds of samba.
Celebration and resistance to the French
When Napoleon's forces occupied areas of Germany, including Cologne, they were suspicious of the "foolish revelers" dancing in the streets and temporarily banned carnival. However, this was not an easy task, because people no longer celebrated in the streets, but rather continued to do so inside their homes. In 1815, the Prussians came to Cologne, the city returned to German rule, and celebrations were allowed again.
The date was subject to ecclesiastical religious interpretation: between Ash Wednesday and Holy Saturday, believers should eat less and pray more. Before the long period of fasting leading up to Easter, celebration was permitted again.
The magic number is 11
Dissimilar dates are “clumsy” numbers, as they said in the Middle Ages. At that time, on November 11, Saint Martin's Day, the period of fasting in Christianity began and lasts until Christmas.
There is a Christian explanation for choosing the number 11 as the date for the beginning of the carnival: eleven is one more than ten fingers, and one less than the number of the twelve apostles after Christ. The number 11 in Christianity may indicate sin and excess, because it falls outside the Ten Commandments.
