Mainland Europe is big when it comes to Carnaval (Carnival). This event is deeply rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition of festivities, which I humbly suspect, along the way of worshipping their gods and showing off their faith in some form of organised proper revelry, somehow ended up going south, haha.
Um, sorry about that, but lets be honest, I am sure you are not spiritually invigorated with this display of concerted debauchery. But it’s fine, everyone is having fun alright =). That said, Carnaval is only popular in mainland Europe in countries and regions where Catholics are a majority.
For example in the Netherlands, only the southern part, which we all call here ‘down the river’ (this is the River Lek that divides the central-north and south of the Netherlands) celebrates Carnaval. Because the southern part of the Netherlands is mainly Catholic whilst the central and northern parts are Reformed (Calvinist). So where I live—Utrecht, which is above the river, is very quiet during Carnaval season. No craziness. No Carnaval here.
For the rest of Europe which is by far Catholic, it is Carnaval madness in the winter, except though for the UK and the Nordic countries which are majority non-Catholics.
Last week as I was in Cologne, Germany for my weekly work visit, I saw a lot of people on the streets already celebrating. Carnaval in Europe actually starts on the 11th of November but only the last weeks which are between the 1st and 2nd weeks of February is when the craziness comes out. It’s a sort of culmination that usually ends with a grand, flamboyant and colossal street parade.
In Cologne, they call the last week of Carnaval the ‘Crazy Days’. Because people literally get out on the streets dressed in whatever costume they want, party and go crazy. Beer drinking from morning till night and just frolicking seems to be the agenda of everyone. It is the oldest and biggest Carnaval event in Europe. Go here: Cologne Carnaval
Although I didn’t go to the Dom Church and the main squares where people gather for the festivities, I managed to get a glimpse of the revelry, as we drove past the city centre, as well at the office on the harbour. In fact, many of the offices were closed for business. It is such a fun thing to witness the high spirits of everyone and the amusing display of outfits—from a type of animal to a 16th century statesman with white stockings and curly white wig, although I am not sure if I could last a day of partying if I join in. If it’s not the age, I must have been a changed woman.
Tomorrow is ‘Rose Monday’, the culmination of Carnaval in Cologne celebrated with a massive colourful parade and more crazy parties. I heard stories from acquaintances who have been there during the Monday parade that lots of fruits, sweets and whatnots are thrown out of the floats and spectators catch them all with an upside down open umbrella.
Now you know what to bring to Cologne during the Carnaval parade next year!
Travel Period: February 2015
Destination: Cologne (North Rhine Westphalia), Germany
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)