COLOGNE, Germany — At precisely 11:11 a.m. on Thursday, a vibrant display of festive spirit swept through the streets of the Rhineland in western Germany. Hundreds of thousands of carnival enthusiasts gathered to partake in the yearly celebrations. Attendees were seen dancing, singing, and showcasing their elaborate and colorful costumes amid a joyous atmosphere.
A distinctive feature of the celebration is the symbolic empowerment of women, who traditionally seize control of city halls for the day. This event gives rise to Weiberfastnacht, often referred to as “women’s carnival.” According to the customs, women participate by cutting men’s ties or shoelaces in exchange for a kiss, promoting friendly interaction among both partners and strangers.
In the bustling cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn, and Mainz, Karnevalisten — as the participants are known — transformed the streets into a sea of confetti and camaraderie. They toasted with beer as a mixture of traditional German brass band tunes and upbeat samba music filled the air, creating a lively ambiance.
During this time of year known as the “fifth season,” bakeries experience increased demand for jelly donuts, which are a staple delicacy of the festivities that stretch from Fat Thursday to Ash Wednesday, leading up to Lent in this predominantly Roman Catholic region.
In light of recent security concerns due to a spate of stabbings and other violent incidents, the police amplified their presence throughout the region. Reports indicated that 9,900 officers were on duty in North Rhine-Westphalia, marking a significant increase from the typical number on a standard Thursday.
Despite these heightened security measures, the mayor of Cologne, Henriette Reker, urged participants to embrace the festivities without succumbing to fear. She emphasized the city’s resilience, declaring that the revelers would not be deterred from enjoying life by acts of terrorism or extremism.
Mayor Reker’s words hold personal significance, as she herself survived a near-fatal stabbing by a far-right extremist during her 2015 mayoral campaign. Elected the day after the attack while in an induced coma, she took office a month later, determined to serve her community in the face of adversity.
