Because the Eleventh of the Eleventh falls on a Saturday this year, more people are on their feet than usual. Thousands of party tourists flocked to the carnival strongholds of Düsseldorf and Cologne in particular.
Hoppeditz has awakened
In the NRW-The state capital woke up according to an old custom on the market square in front of the town hall of Hoppeditz, the symbolic figure of the Düsseldorf carnival. He then gave the traditional sharp-tongued speech. Afterwards, bands and artists performed on the open-air stage.
Thousands celebrate in Cologne hotspots
In Cologne, too, the party spots Zülpicher Straße, Heumarkt and Alter Markt have been busy since early morning. Thousands of Jecken flocked early in the morning, especially to the university district around Zülpicher Straße. The police had to close off the entrances there early on – due to the threat of overcrowding.
“It’s okay to celebrate Carnival“, said Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker at the start of the carnival on November 11th in the old town in front of thousands of revelers. “This does not mean that we do not think about those affected by war and violence.“
“Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Shalom!”
In solidarity with all Jewish citizens, the call was previously heard in the historic town hall of Cologne: “Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Shalom!“Reker appealed to the Jecken to stand up for democracy and diversity.”I expect a clear commitment against anti-Semitism from all those involved in the Cologne Carnival – and clear signs of solidarity with Israel and the Jews in Cologne!“