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Germany celebrates Carnival

February 7, 2013

Revelers in Germany have taken to the streets to celebrate the first day of the Carnival season. Despite a forecast of inclement weather, party-goers are expected in droves.

https://p.dw.com/p/17aBr
Women dressed in costumes for "Weiberfastnacht" (Women's Carnival) celebrate in front of Cologne's Cathedral February 7, 2013. Women's Carnival marks the start of a week of street festivals, the highlight of the event being "Rosenmontag" (Rose Monday), the final day of the carnival where mass processions are held. REUTERS/Ina Fassbender (GERMANY - Tags: SOCIETY ENTERTAINMENT TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Image: Reuters

At precisely 11:11 in the morning, the Carnival festivities officially began.

Until next week's Ash Wednesday, cities and towns in the Rhineland turn into a massive party, complete with costumes, parades and tons of traditional Carnival songs.

Tens of thousands of party-goers are expected in Carnival centers Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz to celebrate what locals in the Rhine region call “the fifth season." Thursday, the first day of the season, is known as Weiberfastnacht, or Women's Day. To celebrate, women often cut off men's ties, symbolically taking over control of their cities for the day.

The festivities take place each year in the last week before Lent, which is the 40-day religious period before Easter observed by Christians around the world.

hc/dr (dpa, AFP)