Germans celebrate Fasching until Ash Wednesday

The next five and a half weeks is a special time in Germany — it’s for those who like to party, dress up in costumes, and play a different role than in normal day life. In Germany, this time of year is known as the “fifth season.” Depending on the area, this “crazy season” has different names. In the Pfalz, it’s called “Fassenacht” or “Fastnacht,” in Bavaria, it’s “Fasching,” and in the Cologne area, it’s “Karneval.”

Fasching officially begins at 11:11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month and ends on Ash Wednesday, which this year is March 5.

Every weekend, special Fasching events are held. Signs and posters found in the KMC will announce “Maskenball” (masquerade ball), “Faschingstanz” (Fasching dance), “Kinderfasching” (children’s Fasching party) or “Prunksitzung” (pomp session). There will be parties, dances, funny speeches and parades. It’s the time for being crazy and wild, cheering up, having fun and, the most important factor, it’s the time to dress up in costume. Visitors at Fasching activities are encouraged to wear fancy dresses. If they are not in disguise, they have to pay a higher admission fee when entering community halls, culture centers, sports gyms and other event locations. The best costumes are awarded prizes at some events.

During Fasching, women do not need a male escort when going to a dance. It’s even up to the females to ask the men for a dance — and the men better not say “no.” A typical Fasching event is the “Prunksitzung,” which literally translated means pomp session. Traditionally, carnival associations sponsor and organize this event. Amateur comedians hold, in their local dialect, humorous speeches spiced with sarcasm about local happenings, people or politics in general. In between speeches, carnival club members sing and present dances. A committee consisting of a president and 11 counselors watch the session from their seats in the back of the stage. After each performance, committee members will present medals to the performers.
Carnival clubs are represented by a Fastnacht princess or prince. Every year, a new princess or prince is elected and usually gets crowned the night of New Year’s Eve. Usually, the mayor hands them the keys to the city and thus the executive power.

Fastnacht has its origin in ancient times, when people realized that with the start of a new year, spring would soon be on its way. To make it possible for spring to arrive, the demons of winter had to be chased away. Therefore, people dressed in evil-looking costumes and masks. They danced in the streets looking like devils, demons and witches and used noise-making devices, bells and drums to scare away the winter ghosts.

Through the centuries, the season developed into a Christian ritual. The literal translation of the word “Fastnacht” means “night of fasting.” Today it’s the time of merriment and laughter preceding Lent, the 40-day period before Easter.
The word “Karneval” also refers to the fasting period. The Latin expression “carne vale” means “farewell, meat” and describes the time of celebrations before Lent when people must renounce meat, opulent meals and festivities.

The main days of the fifth season are “Altweiberfasching” (old women’s Fasching) on Feb. 27, Rose Monday on March 3 and Fat Tuesday on March 4.

Rose Monday is known for colorful parades with floats, musicians, dancers and walking groups in creative costumes going through towns.

The biggest parade in the Westpfalz area is in Ramstein-Miesenbach, and it will take place on Fat Tuesday,
March 4.

Ramstein’s carnival association Bruchkatze, which sponsors the parade, is still looking for American participants. Walking groups, bands and individuals dressed in funny costumes can take part. To register and for more information, call the 86th Airlift Wing Host Nation Office at 480-2094 or email host.nations@us.af.mil.