While the Corona traffic light turns red and the debates revolve around vaccinations and incidences, the focus at Munich’s oldest carnival club, Narrhalla, is good humor. On this Thursday at 11.11 a.m. the new prince couple Elisabeth Schnellenberger and Leonard Bogner will introduce themselves at the Viktualienmarkt. Whatever may come: the young couple is prepared for the carnival.
Princess Elizabeth II is a student in normal life. She is studying law in her seventh semester at Ludwig Maximilians University. The 21-year-old is committed to helping people: at school she was the senior level spokesperson, at university she is a mentor and helps freshmen with their day-to-day studies. In addition, Schnellenberger has been a carnival fan since he was a child. “It has always been a huge pleasure for me to move, to be different, to listen to different music and to have fun,” she says.
Prince Leonard I is also a student. Bogner completed a bachelor’s degree in digital business management, worked on an e-learning project and is currently about to do his master’s thesis in business psychology. The 25-year-old came to Narrhalla through music, where he played drums for eight years. Because he liked it so much at Narrhalla, he wanted to become a member. In 2013 he made his debut at the club’s big gala, and in 2015 he became a member of the Penalty Council.
There is a lot to do in the coming carnival season. Bogner particularly wants to take care of people with disabilities. He attended an inclusive grammar school with severely disabled students and says: “If you take people with you, your heart opens.”
Social engagement is a tradition at Narrhalla: For more than 50 years, the association has attended the state school for physically handicapped people as well as other charitable offers. Most appointments are in kindergartens and old people’s homes.
Sebastian Kriesel, spokesman for Narrhalla, says: “Many old people would like to be there at Mardi Gras, but no longer have the opportunity to go anywhere. That’s why we come to them and want to bring Mardi Gras and joy into their home. ” The prince couple is expecting more than 200 appointments in the coming months. It is important that the couple get along well in their private lives. “We were lucky because we have been friends for two years,” says Schnellenberger.
Even if the Corona measures restrict personal contacts, the prince couple has a plan: “Then we will greet people from outside and bring them donuts through the window,” promises Bogner.