Germany’s Carnival officially begins on November 11th at 11:11 a.m. and continues to quietly and sleep mode for no less than three months. No wonder the Germans call this carnival season “fifth season”.

Photography by PresleyJesus

Cologne Carnival:

The real climax of the carnival arrives in Drei Tolle Tage (three crazy days) whose peak occurs in Rosenmontag (Monday), day 42 before Easter. By then, in Cologne, home to the largest carnival in Europe, a big party begins on Thursday (Altweiberfastnacht) just following Tuesday (Veilchendienstag) with the burning of the carnival spirit (Nubbelverbrennung), symbolizing the Atonement the sins committed during the carnival season. (más…)