Cologne expects mass crowds for 11.11.
With 1,000 police officers, 180 public order officers and more than 1,000 private security staff, the city of Cologne wants to control the expected rush for the carnival kick-off on 11/11. As the day falls on a Saturday this time, a mass influx of party tourists is expected. According to the city, the number of revellers has already "increased exponentially" in recent years.
The focus of the celebrations is no longer the old town as it used to be; instead, most visitors head for the area around Zülpicher Straße, the so-called "Kwartier Latäng". With its many bars and pubs, the student district has long been a mega hotspot that attracts many party tourists from out of town, even on normal weekends. During carnival, excessive alcohol consumption regularly leads to enormous crowds and unpleasant side effects that annoy the residents. This year, wild peeing is punishable by fines of up to 200 euros.
A particular challenge this year is the fact that Cologne's largest synagogue is also located in the district. In view of the many anti-Semitic crimes since the terrorist attacks on Israel, it will be cordoned off with bars and specially secured. The police are appealing to all those celebrating to adapt their costumes to the current crisis situation and, for example, to refrain from wearing real-looking fake weapons.
A pro-Palestinian demonstration under the slogan "Stop the aggression!", which was due to take place in Düsseldorf on Saturday, was canceled by the organizers on Thursday. NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) told the German Press Agency that he was very pleased about this: "It shows a bit of wisdom that you don't overload a city, a citizenry, with too many demonstrations at the same time," said Reul. "And when carnival is being celebrated, it's better that there is no other demonstration."
With the influx of party tourists for the carnival kick-off on 11/11, the city's customs regulations will be strictly enforced, particularly in the student district around Zülpicher Straße. To maintain peace and order, visitors are advised to remember the Carnival's customs of fun and festivity, rather than engaging in behaviors resulting in unwelcome crowds or fines.
Source: www.dpa.com
