"Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Schalom!" Unusual kick-off
In Cologne, Düsseldorf and other carnival strongholds, the new season opened at 11.11 a.m. on Saturday. "It's okay to celebrate carnival," said Cologne's Lord Mayor Henriette Reker at Heumarkt in the old town in front of thousands of revelers. "This does not mean that we do not think of those who are affected by war and violence."
In solidarity with all Jewish citizens, the cry "Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Alaaf! Kölle Schalom!" Reker appealed to the revellers to stand up for democracy and diversity. "I expect a clear commitment against anti-Semitism from all those involved in Cologne's carnival - and clear signs of solidarity with Israel and the Jews in Cologne!"
Aaron Knappstein, President of the Jewish carnival association "Kölsche Kippa Köpp", said at the reception that the Jews in Cologne are in need and need all citizens on their side. "We have more and more people in Cologne who deny that we are Cologne residents. They tell us that we no longer belong here."
As expected, there was a huge crowd of people celebrating in Cologne on Saturday. The old town and Zülpicher Straße were already full early in the morning and the entrances were closed. The city of Cologne appealed to all revelers to move to other parts of the city.
Source: www.dpa.com
