Even pouring rain can’t stop them: tens of thousands celebrate the start of the street carnival in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz and other crazy strongholds – without letting the bad weather spoil their mood.
The weather is bad in many places – but that doesn’t dampen the good mood: the street carnival started in the foolish strongholds at exactly 11:11 a.m. In Düsseldorf, the “Möhnen” stormed the town hall. In Cologne, the triumvirate of prince, farmer and maiden let loose the jokes. However, the crowds are a little lower than usual due to the bad weather. Cologne’s carnival president Christoph Kuckelkorn said: “Either people come later or they have decided to celebrate at home, which is a nice concept.” In the “Kwartier Latäng”, Cologne’s student district, there was already a crowd even before the official start. This district primarily attracts young revelers.
“Cologne is colorful”
Cologne’s mayor Henriette Reker said the Cologne Carnival is always a celebration of diversity, which is also sung about in many songs. “I would hope that this will be lived in this way throughout the year that lies ahead.” Kuckelkorn also emphasized: “Cologne is colorful. We have all nationalities, all religious affiliations, orientations here. Cologne is an area of diversity. Any currents that want to limit this in any way have no chance at all and fight for it us. Carnival always stands firmly on the side of democracy.”
Bonn celebrates the uprising of the washerwomen
The 200th anniversary of the so-called washerwomen’s uprising was celebrated at the Women’s Carnival in Bonn-Beuel. This tradition goes back to an early women’s movement: in 1824, the Beuel washerwomen turned against patriarchy and the associated exploitation of women and founded a women’s committee. Traditionally, numerous women’s meetings take place on February 8th. One custom is for women to cut off men’s ties.
It will be stormy and rainy
However, the weather is not cooperating this year. The German Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning for parts of North Rhine-Westphalia due to heavy, continuous rain. Especially in the Bergisches Land, the Sauerland and around Aachen, 60 to 80 liters of rain per square meter could fall – that would be enough to cause streams and smaller rivers to overflow their banks and flood streets, the meteorologists said.
Things are only looking a little better in Cologne and Düsseldorf on Thursday.
It will also be wet across the board in Rhineland-Palatinate – wind and rain are also forecast here with highs between seven and 13 degrees. In some cases, gusts of wind with speeds of up to 55 km/h are expected.
The highlight of the street carnival is the Rose Monday parades next Monday, before it ends with Ash Wednesday.
Jochen Hilgers, WDR, tagesschau, February 7th, 2024 2:18 p.m