Every year in winter... World Cup feeling in Cologne Carnival

'Every year in winter...' a Cologne carnival song heralds the recurring winter fairytale in Cologne. The rest of Germany often cannot understand why a state of emergency prevails from Weiberfastnacht (Old Women's Day) to Nubbelverbrennung (Nubbel burning) on Violet Tuesday. The recorded session carnival can convey this just as little as the endless Alaaf and Helau broadcasts of the Rose Monday parades with their political floats.

Comparable to what is currently happening on the streets is perhaps only the summer fairytale of the 2006 World Cup. The Germans went into a kind of intoxication, which the Cologne people stage every year. What had happened? Probably for the first time since 'The Sorrows of Young Werther', a joy of life that was palpable for almost everyone arose, a continuous optimism and a festive culture characterized by unusual lightness. Because the Germans are known internationally for their 'German Angst' and their humorless seriousness.

Almost by chance, a kind of Germany-wide street carnival developed at the Public Viewing 2006: Men and women, English, Dutch and Germans, arm in arm, glass to glass in front of the public giant screens, singing, drinking and dressed up! National colors on flower chains, brightly painted faces, flag cloaks were the most popular costumes. It was a six-week permanent flirtation, a huge party that had intoxicating qualities even without the alcohol consumed. Because guests became friends, everyone cheered and celebrated with everyone, the sporting event developed into a large common cause. Social and national barriers were lifted. This basic principle of street carnival already existed 5,000 years ago in Mesopotamia. For a few days everyone from slave to dignitary was equal. Food and drink orgies as well as parades were organized. Under the protection of freedom of fools, everyone could also say what they wanted.

Today, the 'making equal' and feeling similar is paradoxically produced by the different costumes: They not only signal the willingness to celebrate, but also lift the usual 'codes' of professional and social status. Instead of wearing a suit and overalls, many will be uniformly 'animal' this year. If you want to revive the World Cup feeling, it is best to come to Cologne. Here, together with the people of Düsseldorf and Mainz, at least in the street carnival, the class arrogance is lifted.

An article by Ines Imdahl Ines Imdahl