Pink Monday processions typically take place in centers such as Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Mainz, and the hero dolls are made up of famous politicians and public figures, both German and foreign.
Carnival parades are held in major cities in Germany on the traditional so-called “Pink Monday”, when the great Rhine Carnival ends before the start of Lent. BBC News reports this.
As the publication notes, it is not for nothing that the Germans call this day “crazy Monday” – the humor and sarcasm, as well as the creativity and ingenuity in these parades, are unusual.
Pink Monday processions typically take place in centers such as Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf and Mainz, and the hero dolls are made up of famous politicians and public figures, both German and foreign. This year, Germans did not ignore the key figures in their politics, as well as those who made the world a better place or dragged it into the depths of hell.
The issue of Russia’s war against Ukraine was important. Thus, the figure of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who tried to swallow Ukraine, could be seen at the parade in Düsseldorf.
The figure of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stood out beautifully at the parade in Cologne.
Former US President Donald Trump also stabbed a Ukrainian soldier in the back at the carnival.
In Mainz, German politicians, especially those on Putin’s level, were not ignored. One of them is Sarah Wagenknecht, leader of her own party, For Common Sense and Justice, and one of the loudest critics of aid to Ukraine. Next to him is Alice Weidel from Alternative Germany.
“Both “Barbies” represent the opposite poles of German politics – left and right, but the common denominator is “Ken” – Putin,” the BBC explained.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also suffered. He was depicted with a hole in his head and the punning title “Holaf Scholz” or “Empty Scholz”.
On other platforms, Adolf Hitler is seen disguised as a supporter of the far-right Alternative for Germany, and a Hamas terrorist pushes a Palestinian family at gunpoint from an Israeli tank.
As always, the carnival would not be complete without the “Russian world”. Last year, Düsseldorf sculptor Jacques Tilly depicted Putin in a bloody bathtub. This year the artist represented oral sex between the Kremlin dictator and Patriarch Kirill.
The platform reads “From Russia with love” in English and includes the word “love” in LGBT colours.
Carnival in Germany – what is known
On Monday, February 12, Germany celebrates Pink Monday. Along with Ash Wednesday, it is one of the last days of the carnival season.
Preparations for the carnival begin in advance, in November – on November 11 at 11:11 the first meeting of carnival activists is held throughout the country. That’s when the start of the fifth season of the year – carnival – was officially announced. On this day, for the first time since the last day of the New Year’s carnival, you can meet people wearing unusual costumes on the streets of German cities. By the way, the first handwritten evidence of carnival celebrations in Munich dates back to 1295.
Carnival week in February begins with attending a church service on Thursday morning (Weiberfastnacht), always before 12 noon. It also ends on Wednesday afternoon of the following week.
Only women celebrate the beginning of Carnival. They disguise themselves as witches, beautiful women and devils. Men who go to a restaurant or bar on this day risk leaving without clothes – this is what women can joke about.
The main event of the holiday is the “Pink Monday” carnival procession Rosenmontag. It resembles a show: car traffic is blocked, and dressed up clowns, princesses, kings, barons, orchestras and many papier-mâché dolls ride around the central streets of cities in decorated cars for several hours in a row. Everyone is singing, shouting congratulations, throwing confetti and candies into the crowd of spectators, and handing out glasses of beer and wine. The parade ends with salutes from participants and a concert in one of the large squares of the city.
On Tuesday, the day after “Pink Monday”, children wear carnival costumes and come to school in this way in the morning. Immediately after classes, they go home, where sweets and small souvenirs await them.
On this day, shops and bakeries sell Berliner jam buns; Among them you can also find the “lucky” one with mustard or coins.
The holiday ends with a church service on Ash Wednesday: “Repent and believe the Gospel.” And Fastnacht begins – a strict fast that will end in 40-45 days with Easter.
In 2023, the Germans have prepared a “special” role for Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the famous February carnival. Many platforms appeared at once with figures of the leader of the aggressor country.
Source: Focus
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