"Bützen" (kissing)
If, in an excess of
good cheer, a
Carnival fan gives
you a "Bützje", you
need have no fear.
"Butzjer" are kisses
made with pursed lips
and have nothing in
common with a real
kiss. The "Bützje" is
not the start of a
seduction, but
absolutely essential
and usual during
Carnival. You should
not be annoyed by it,
On the contrary, be
happy, because it
shows you are
accepted!
If, in an excess of
good cheer, a
Carnival fan gives
you a "Bützje", you
need have no fear.
"Butzjer" are kisses
made with pursed lips
and have nothing in
common with a real
kiss. The "Bützje" is
not the start of a
seduction, but
absolutely essential
and usual during
Carnival. You should
not be annoyed by it,
On the contrary, be
happy, because it
shows you are
accepted!
The Carefree Traveller
Carnival and Mardi Gras Celebrations
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel Switzerland)
Fasching in Munich (Munich,Germany)
Carnival of Binche (Binche, Belgium)
Basler Fasnacht (Basel Switzerland)
| Kölner Karneval Thursday February 19, 2009 - Wednesday February 25, 2009 |
The Cologne carnival takes place every year starting at 11:11 on November 11 and
culminates in a week-long street festival leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The eleventh of November constitutes a single day of celebration, and the immediate
lead-up to Ash Wednesday several more. The highlight of the carnival is the
Rosenmontag which takes place on the Monday. The typical cry during the festival is
"Kölle Alaaf!", a Kölsch phrase which can be roughly translated as "Cologne over all!"
Every year there are 3 people (the Dreigestirn) who are granted the titles of Jungfrau,
Prinz, and Bauer (virgin, prince and farmer), who pay a large sum of money for their
privileges. The carnival prince is deemed to be the highest representative of the
festivities, leading the main parades throughout the week.
The "fifth season of the year" as Carnival is called, begins on November 11at 11:11 AM.
But the "crazy days" start on so-called Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before
Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). In the public squares and streets, the "crazy days" of
Carnival are greeted with great indoor and street celebrations. The closing times for
pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.
Traditionally the gathering of the colourful Corps troops can be seen on Saturday at the
Neumarkt. On Carnival Sunday school group and borough parades take place all over
the city. But the highlight of street carnival is Rose Monday with the march of "Cologne's
Dreigestirn" or Triumvirate - the Prince, the Peasant and the Maiden - in the
kilometre-long Rosenmontag procession which shows the soul of the city.
Carnival ends on Ash Wednesday.
culminates in a week-long street festival leading up to Ash Wednesday.
The eleventh of November constitutes a single day of celebration, and the immediate
lead-up to Ash Wednesday several more. The highlight of the carnival is the
Rosenmontag which takes place on the Monday. The typical cry during the festival is
"Kölle Alaaf!", a Kölsch phrase which can be roughly translated as "Cologne over all!"
Every year there are 3 people (the Dreigestirn) who are granted the titles of Jungfrau,
Prinz, and Bauer (virgin, prince and farmer), who pay a large sum of money for their
privileges. The carnival prince is deemed to be the highest representative of the
festivities, leading the main parades throughout the week.
The "fifth season of the year" as Carnival is called, begins on November 11at 11:11 AM.
But the "crazy days" start on so-called Weiberfastnacht, the Thursday before
Rosenmontag (Carnival Monday). In the public squares and streets, the "crazy days" of
Carnival are greeted with great indoor and street celebrations. The closing times for
pubs and bars are suspended for the duration of the festival.
Traditionally the gathering of the colourful Corps troops can be seen on Saturday at the
Neumarkt. On Carnival Sunday school group and borough parades take place all over
the city. But the highlight of street carnival is Rose Monday with the march of "Cologne's
Dreigestirn" or Triumvirate - the Prince, the Peasant and the Maiden - in the
kilometre-long Rosenmontag procession which shows the soul of the city.
Carnival ends on Ash Wednesday.
The "crazy" days
Thursday, 3 March 2011 - Women's Carnival Day
This is the day when you can experience the Carnival in its traditional form. Early in the
morning, the streets are alive with ladies in fancy-dress on their way to the office, their
place of work or to shops, and from 10.00 a.m. they all head towards the Alter Markt in
the heart of the old town of Cologne.
At 11.11 a.m. the street Carnival is officially opened at the Alter Markt by the three
principal Carnival figures: the Prince, the Peasant and the Virgin.
In the evening: parties and masked balls.
Friday, 4 March 2011
In the morning, you might come across the odd "survivor" of "Weiberfastnacht" if you go
for a stroll through the city. A tour of the city is always worthwhile: coach trips from the
Tourist Office from 14.00 p.m. In the evening: masked balls and parties.
Saturday, 5 march 2011- Carnival Saturday
Following a traditional Cologne "Frühschoppen" or early-morning drink, at 10.30 a.m.,
you should head for the "Funkenbiwak" at Neumarkt. The city is overflowing with
"Jecken" or Carnival figures by the afternoon.In the evening: "Geisterzug", parties,
parties and even more parties.
Sunday, 5 March 2011 - Carnival Sunday
Parades through the city centre from 11.00 a.m. School groups in fancy dress and
original costumes with clubs and schools. In the evening: parties and masked balls.
Monday, 7 March 2011 - Rose Monday
The climax of Carnival with the big, official parade from 10.49 a.m., organized by the
Cologne Carnival Festival Committee. A colourful spectacle with thousands of people in
fancy dress. Why don't you join in too! In the evening: the celebrations continue in
halls, restaurants and pubs.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011 Shrove Tuesday
In the afternoon, processions in Cologne's suburbs with Carnival groups and societies
in fancy dress. Various Carnival parades in the suburbs of Cologne
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 - Ash Wednesday
Traditionally, fish dinners are served in all restaurants and pubs.
Thursday, 3 March 2011 - Women's Carnival Day
This is the day when you can experience the Carnival in its traditional form. Early in the
morning, the streets are alive with ladies in fancy-dress on their way to the office, their
place of work or to shops, and from 10.00 a.m. they all head towards the Alter Markt in
the heart of the old town of Cologne.
At 11.11 a.m. the street Carnival is officially opened at the Alter Markt by the three
principal Carnival figures: the Prince, the Peasant and the Virgin.
In the evening: parties and masked balls.
Friday, 4 March 2011
In the morning, you might come across the odd "survivor" of "Weiberfastnacht" if you go
for a stroll through the city. A tour of the city is always worthwhile: coach trips from the
Tourist Office from 14.00 p.m. In the evening: masked balls and parties.
Saturday, 5 march 2011- Carnival Saturday
Following a traditional Cologne "Frühschoppen" or early-morning drink, at 10.30 a.m.,
you should head for the "Funkenbiwak" at Neumarkt. The city is overflowing with
"Jecken" or Carnival figures by the afternoon.In the evening: "Geisterzug", parties,
parties and even more parties.
Sunday, 5 March 2011 - Carnival Sunday
Parades through the city centre from 11.00 a.m. School groups in fancy dress and
original costumes with clubs and schools. In the evening: parties and masked balls.
Monday, 7 March 2011 - Rose Monday
The climax of Carnival with the big, official parade from 10.49 a.m., organized by the
Cologne Carnival Festival Committee. A colourful spectacle with thousands of people in
fancy dress. Why don't you join in too! In the evening: the celebrations continue in
halls, restaurants and pubs.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011 Shrove Tuesday
In the afternoon, processions in Cologne's suburbs with Carnival groups and societies
in fancy dress. Various Carnival parades in the suburbs of Cologne
Wednesday, 9 March 2011 - Ash Wednesday
Traditionally, fish dinners are served in all restaurants and pubs.
The Carnival Parade on Rose Monday
On both Carnival Sunday and Rose Monday, motor traffic is banned throughout large sections
of the city centre. No vehicles may be parked along the procession route. Those without a
grandstand seat or access to a convenient window are advised to secure themselves a
roadside position in good time. The Tourist Office issues a map of the route well in advance,
and also flyers on the ”Crazy Days”.
On both Carnival Sunday and Rose Monday, motor traffic is banned throughout large sections
of the city centre. No vehicles may be parked along the procession route. Those without a
grandstand seat or access to a convenient window are advised to secure themselves a
roadside position in good time. The Tourist Office issues a map of the route well in advance,
and also flyers on the ”Crazy Days”.
Alternative Carnival
In addition to the traditional Carnival organized by the Festkomitee, in the 1980s the
so-called "Alternative" Carnival established itself, which in the meantime is also regarded as
something of a tradition. Originally a preserve of young people, today "Alternative" Carnival
involves all generations.
The programme, in the meantime, is really extensive, includes the "Stunk-Sitzung" in the
E-Werk, the Ghost Parade on Saturday evening as well as the burning of the "Nubbel" late
on Tuesday evening. The Ghost Parade Unlike the other parades in which the ordinary
Carnival fan is a mere spectator, everyone involved with the Ghost Parade turns up in
ghostly costumes. The parade's tradition which was revived in 1992, goes back to the
Middle Ages. For more information take a look at www.geisterzug.de. The burning of the
"Nubbel" Before the everyday round suddenly returns on Ash Wednesday, as though
nothing had really happened, in many parts of the city the "Nubbel", a straw figure is
burned, as the scapegoat for all the transgressions which the Kölner have been guilty of
during Carnival.
The torchlight processions in the night of Shrove Tuesday/AshWednesday (punctually at
midnight), with the subsequent ceremony are a unique experience. Impressive Nubbel
burning ceremonies are to be seen all around the Agneskirche and all over the Südstadt,
Ehrenfeld and Nippes.
In addition to the traditional Carnival organized by the Festkomitee, in the 1980s the
so-called "Alternative" Carnival established itself, which in the meantime is also regarded as
something of a tradition. Originally a preserve of young people, today "Alternative" Carnival
involves all generations.
The programme, in the meantime, is really extensive, includes the "Stunk-Sitzung" in the
E-Werk, the Ghost Parade on Saturday evening as well as the burning of the "Nubbel" late
on Tuesday evening. The Ghost Parade Unlike the other parades in which the ordinary
Carnival fan is a mere spectator, everyone involved with the Ghost Parade turns up in
ghostly costumes. The parade's tradition which was revived in 1992, goes back to the
Middle Ages. For more information take a look at www.geisterzug.de. The burning of the
"Nubbel" Before the everyday round suddenly returns on Ash Wednesday, as though
nothing had really happened, in many parts of the city the "Nubbel", a straw figure is
burned, as the scapegoat for all the transgressions which the Kölner have been guilty of
during Carnival.
The torchlight processions in the night of Shrove Tuesday/AshWednesday (punctually at
midnight), with the subsequent ceremony are a unique experience. Impressive Nubbel
burning ceremonies are to be seen all around the Agneskirche and all over the Südstadt,
Ehrenfeld and Nippes.
Cologne Airport Private Departure Transfer
Why worry about the inconvenience of calling and waiting for a cab? Don't go to the
discomfort of travelling on a bus or train. Book your Cologne/Bonn Airport Private Departure
Transfer and travel in the comfort of a private minivan or sedan.
Details and Booking
Why worry about the inconvenience of calling and waiting for a cab? Don't go to the
discomfort of travelling on a bus or train. Book your Cologne/Bonn Airport Private Departure
Transfer and travel in the comfort of a private minivan or sedan.
Details and Booking
Cologne Airport Private Arrival Transfer
Pre-organizing transfers is now the norm for many travelers. Secure not only a great rate by
locking in today's price, but secure peace of mind by booking your Cologne Airport Private
Arrival Transfer today
Details and Booking
Pre-organizing transfers is now the norm for many travelers. Secure not only a great rate by
locking in today's price, but secure peace of mind by booking your Cologne Airport Private
Arrival Transfer today
Details and Booking
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The parade begins at 10.30
(23.02.2009) at the Severinstor
in the Südstadt. The 2009 theme
is "Unser Fastelovend himmlisch
jeck ". When taking your place
along the route, the rule is first
come, first served. Latecomers
pushing to the front are
unpopular. The front row is, of
course, reserved for the kids.
And the second row keeps an
eye on the kids, even if they are
not their own, because despite
official stewards, the distance to
the massive floats is sometimes
dangerously limited.
(23.02.2009) at the Severinstor
in the Südstadt. The 2009 theme
is "Unser Fastelovend himmlisch
jeck ". When taking your place
along the route, the rule is first
come, first served. Latecomers
pushing to the front are
unpopular. The front row is, of
course, reserved for the kids.
And the second row keeps an
eye on the kids, even if they are
not their own, because despite
official stewards, the distance to
the massive floats is sometimes
dangerously limited.
Online carefree travel service for festivals, special events, villa and vacation home rentals, vacation packages,
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
tours, family vacations and travel with pets. Plan your trip, book online and enjoy a carefree vacation with The
Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.