The carnival starts - "Need this as compensation"
It's that time again: carnival is starting. As 11.11. falls on a Saturday this year, even more visitors than usual are expected in Cologne. In previous years, there have already been problems with crowds, alcohol excesses and crime with thousands of visitors from outside the city.
With 1,000 police officers, 180 public order officers and more than 1,000 private security staff, the city wants to control the expected onslaught at the start of the carnival. 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 considered a mega hotspot that attracts many party tourists from out of town, even on normal weekends.
Comedian Carolin Kebekus (43) would like to see a more peaceful atmosphere at this year's carnival kick-off. "For me, carnival is the best time of the year," the Cologne native told the German Press Agency. "Whether it's a pub or street carnival, I just can't get enough of it." Of course, the odd Kölsch also flows. "There's a golden rule in our huge carnival clique: we party hard, but always look out for each other and make sure that everyone is doing well." Kebekus herself is completely abstaining from alcohol this year because she is pregnant.
Cologne Carnival President Christoph Kuckelkorn sees the carnival celebrations as an important outlet in times of political crisis. "We see time and again that people have a great need to celebrate carnival, especially in difficult times," Kuckelkorn told the German Press Agency. "Many people in Cologne need Fastelovend as a balance. Living customs together with friends and family is good after the crises of recent years have been very stressful. Incidentally, celebrating and showing solidarity are not mutually exclusive."
In Düsseldorf, the day begins with the traditional "Hoppeditz Awakening". At 11.11 a.m. sharp, the rogue will give a mocking speech in front of the town hall. Carnival revelers in Mainz and many other regions of Germany also kick off the new season.
The customs and traditions during carnival, such as the "Hoppeditz Awakening," are eagerly anticipated every year, serving as a much-needed respite for people amidst political crises. Despite the influx of visitors to Cologne's Kwartier Latäng during carnival, comedian Carolin Kebekus hopes for a peaceful atmosphere, maintaining their age-old rule of partying responsibly and looking out for each other.
Source: www.dpa.com
