​Fasching begins! Germany bursts into carnival season with vibrant colors and celebrations​

Carnival in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, known as the "Fifth Season," kicks off on November 11, and the festivities are going to ramp up by the New Year. The season is marked by exuberant celebrations, parades, and endless fun.

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'Fasching' traditions in these regions date back to ages, with the first Shrove Monday procession held in Cologne in 1823. Over the centuries, the celebration has evolved, blending local customs with a lively mix of music, dancing, and theatricality.

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Costumes are essential to Carnival celebrations, with revelers donning extravagant and often humorous outfits. From classic masks to creative, whimsical disguises, the streets become a vibrant scenery of colors and imagination during the festivities.

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Throughout the Carnival season, the streets and venues are filled with music, dancing, and chants. Revelers often shout "Alaaf" or "Helau" to join in the fun, uniting people in a joyous celebration of freedom, community, and tradition.

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To ensure security of the participants and audience, 1,400 civil servants were on the streets, which is 200 more than last year. 300 employees of the public order office and more than 1,000 employees of private security companies were also on the streets on behalf of the city.

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Tens of thousands of revelers gathered across Germany on Monday to celebrate Carnival. In cities like Cologne and Düsseldorf, many donned masquerade costumes and used garbage bags as makeshift raincoats, showcasing the festival's resilience.

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Carnival celebrations end with Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of Lent. However, the memories of the vibrant days spent in costume, dancing, and chanting linger, reminding everyone of the festive spirit that fills the region each year.

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