Karnevalgesellschaft (Karneval or Mardi Gras)

KARNEVAL SEASON – The group meets the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm and weekly during the Karneval season. We celebrate the Fasching in the German tradition. Called Karneval in Rio, and Mardi Gras in the United States, all you need is a love for life and a willingness for fun and frolic in the spirit of Karneval. We will also have a children’s Karneval group.

What is “Karneval” or “Mardi Gras”?

The Mardi Gras season starts on Nov. 11th. and ends with Ash Wednesday. It is a time of festivity and merrymaking.

Our tradition dates back to Germany in medieval times, particularly in the Rhineland where many counties existed under harsh rulers. Kings, princes and even smaller potentates, each maintained their own courts. In doing so, they competed with each other as to pomp and splendor at the expense of their populations.

At “Karneval Season” common people took a chance at “Living it up”, chose a mock government – like our eleven wise governors (fools actually) – selected a prince and princess to ostensibly rule the country during Marti Gras season. Current political features and their sovereigns were the target of ridicule. Parades, dancing in the street, masquerade balls and comical skits filled the days and nights.

Marti Gras festivities have become annual events around the world. The most famous of them are Cologne (K lm) - -Germany, Nice – France, Trinidad, Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, and New Orleans – USA. Carnival in Rio is probably the craziest wingding of them all. Germany is the most enthusiastic carnival center of Europe. Nearly every town and village has its own festivities.