Fasting begins on Wednesday. However, the sellers at the Viktualienmarkt hardly have to expect a collapse in sales in the next 40 days – it’s too tempting, Saturday shopping followed by an Aperol in the spring sun. Nevertheless, in order to stay in the minds of Munich residents, the market women will be dancing between their stalls and on the beer garden stage again this Shrove Tuesday. Tradition is tradition.
People flock to the market in the early hours of the morning, and by the end there are thousands of spectators. Even though it’s the carnival holidays, only a few children stand out from the crowd on their parents’ shoulders. Here a shark, there a witch. At around 10 a.m., the prince couple drive up to Narrhalla – in an electric car, befitting their status. Shortly afterwards, Edmund Stoiber (CSU) speaks and seems a lot too young. In reality, Mayor Dominik Krause (Greens) is standing there in a convincing costume. Next to him is Mayor Verena Dietl (SPD) as Claudia Roth (Greens). Greetings from the town hall, thanks in all directions.
Then it is the turn of municipal representative Kristina Frank (CSU) as Hans-Jochen Vogel (SPD), dachshund Waldi under her arm. “Munich is colorful! There’s only one color we don’t need in our confetti – brown.” A boy in a brown bear costume pauses, the donut still in his mouth. His mother can clear up the misunderstanding.
The market around the maypole is now packed. Now Munich’s oldest carnival club is putting on its show: The Narrhalla is dancing its way through television history. “Go Spatzl”, “Merci that you exist”. A fake Gottschalk has to leave the stage, his time is really over.
Political professionals among themselves: Dominik Krause as Edmund Stoiber (r.), Verena Dietl as Claudia Roth (m.) and Kristina Frank as Hans-Jochen Vogel.
(Photo: Catherina Hess)
Big day for Narrhalla and the royal couple Katharina I and Frederik I.
(Photo: Catherina Hess)
The carnival at the Viktualienmarkt was colorful and attracted thousands.
(Photo: Catherina Hess)
Finally, at 11 a.m., the market women make their way through the crowd. They present their costumes on stage. Like every year, everyone wears on their dress what they usually have for sale at their stand. Strawberries, cheese and sealing rings for mason jars dangle there. The “Dance of the Market Women” has been around for more than 100 years. Back then, to her chagrin, the saleswomen at the Viktualienmarkt were considered particularly grumpy. Dancing and free schnapps at carnival time should change that.
The confetti cannon pops and music starts. The market women turn leisurely in circles. In Weiß Ferdl’s song “Wagen von der Linien 8” it says: “That’s what only happens in Bavaria!” Of course it’s about the crowded tram. Anyone who visits Munich for the first time on Shrove Tuesday will probably come to a similar conclusion.