2023 marked the 200th Anniversary of the Köln Karneval Associations! What is Fasching? And is it the same thing as Karneval? YES! Karneval / Fasching / Fastnacht all refer to the pre-Lent Season, the Fifth Season in German-speaking countries. Think of this time as the German version of Mardi Gras. The celebrations date back hundreds of years, rooted in Catholic and early…
Category: Fasching / Karneval
Karneval Berliner – How to Make Berliner
Why are Berliner / Pfannekuchen / Krapfen made during Karneval Season? Karneval is a time of exuberance before Lent’s austerity. Believers are supposed to give up tasty things like fried foods for those 40 days before Easter. So, be sure to eat all the Berliner you can BEFORE midnight on Karneval Dienstag! (Shrove Tuesday). Berliners are filled with tasty fillings…
Super Easy German Fanta Cake or Fantakuchen Recipe
You probably won’t find Fanta Cake in a fancy German Cafe, but don’t scoff at this super easy and quick-to-make Fantakuchen Recipe. When my kids were young, I loved having what I called “afterschool cake” recipes. Snack cakes that could be whipped up without too much fuss. This one is baked in under an hour (perfect when a crowd of…
Tanzmariechen- Those Fabulous Karneval Dancers!
Ever wonder about those beautiful dancing girls in “military uniforms” at Karneval/Fasching celebrations? They march and move in perfect synchronicity and even tumble through the air without landing on their head. But did you know that these “Tanzmariechen” or “Funkenmariechen” are more than just a pretty face and fun dance moves? Their history reaches back almost 200 years to early…
Make this Fairly Easy Berliner Recipe for Karneval or Silvester
Fasching! Karneval! Even NEW YEAR! or maybe you just LOVE them, it’s a good time for Berliner! Honestly, I seldom make them, because fried foods are not really great for the waistline, and we live down the street from one of the world’s great Donut places (shout out to SloDoCo!). BUT it’s Karneval season, and Berliner, which aren’t really donuts,…
Muller Fasching Verein Nordamerika- Bringing Tyrol to Milwaukee
It turns out the best time to see witches in Milwaukee is NOT at Halloween… it’s between January 6th and Ash Wednesday, during Fasching/Karneval Season. But, the witches play a supporting role in this performance, which goes back 500 years to the Alps of Austria. The 70-member strong Muller Fasching Verein of Nordamerika carries the Tyrolean tradition of chasing the…
The Maschkera… Behind the German Fasching Masks
Cover photo- photo by F Delventhal courtesy flickr creative commons The Rhineland may be known for its Karneval / Fasching parades and celebrations, but go further south, to the Alpine area of Baden Württemberg, and you will find a different sort of Fasching Reveler. The Maschkera hide behind heavy carved wooden German Fasching Masks and parade through towns, making noise…
Celebrate Karneval/Fasching with a Karneval Party at Home!
Can’t get to one of the big Karneval Fasching Celebrations? No problem! Have a Karneval Party at home! All you need is a few things to turn a regular Saturday get-together into a fun party! Since this sort of party is more common in Germany, you may have to do a bit of explaining; tell your American friends it’s a…
What is Weiberfastnacht? Women Kick off Karneval!
One special event sticks out in the excitement of Karneval or Fasching Season‘s parties, parades, and fun events, especially for women- Weiberfastnacht. What is Weiberfastnacht? It’s the start of street Karneval Celebrations, the day when Karneval kicks into high gear! It’s the day when women take over the party. I once arrived in Köln on Weiberfastnacht. As I emerged from…
History and Tradition of Karneval Orden
During Karneval Season, you will see people wearing military-like medals called Orden around their necks. These colorful medals, dating to the 1800s, were initially designed to mock the establishment. Today, people consider them a prestigious honor reflecting status and importance. What is the history of Karneval Orden? And how do Karneval groups carry on the traditions today? History of Karneval…