Germany enjoys an unofficial Fifth Season every year, the fools time. Wedged between some of the cold days of winter, the Fifth Season in 2021 will be celebrated from February 11 to February 16. Depending on the region, fools time is called different names and involves slightly different customs. Although it originated in the Catholic regions of the country, Protestant areas, such as Berlin, celebrate as well. But no matter what it is called, the Fifth Season ends at midnight on Shrove Tuesday. The next day, Ash Wednesday, is the official beginning of the 40-day Lenten period of fasting.
Carnival is the Fifth Season in the Rhineland
In the Rhineland, the Fifth Season of the year is called Karneval (carnival in English). The word is Latin-based and originated in the 17th century. Pre-Lenten celebrations were already popular in the Middle Ages but were prohibited later during the French occupation. In 1804, the ban was lifted, and after the French left in 1815, it became the custom to mock the Prussian military during Karneval.
The biggest Karneval celebration takes place in Koelln (Cologne), and its biggest event is the Rose Monday parade. The parade stretches out for almost four miles and takes place two days before Ash Wednesday. It is best known for its political and social parodies and elaborate floats that poke fun at local, national and international politicians and events. Rhyming speeches, called Buettenreden, are also an integral part of the celebrations. These spoofs take their name from the barrel-shaped podium used by the speaker, the Buett.
Fasching in Berlin
In Berlin and other parts of Northern Germany, the Fifth Season is called Fasching. The word dates back to the 13th century and is derived from a Germanic expression that refers to the last serving of alcoholic beverages before Lent. Fasching is the time to dress up as devils, pirates, American Indians, princesses, animals, fruits and vegetables. No floats, no speeches.
Typical Fasching costume worn in Berlin during the Fifth Season in the 1960s. Realism was not a requirement. The feather authenticated the costume. Photo © J. Elke Ertle, 1963. www.walled-in-berlin.com
Fastnacht in Mainz
The term Fastnacht is mostly used in the city of Mainz in Northern Germany and in Swabia and Switzerland. The term “fastnach” without the (t) at the end, means “night of being wild and foolish.” Participants often wear masks. Over the years, Mainz has been the home of some of the best fools time humorists. In the 1960s, two men, Otto Duerr and Georg Berresheim, were outright famous. The duo masqueraded as two cleaning ladies who shared their wisdoms. If you google “frau babbisch und frau struwwelisch” on YouTube, you’ll be able to watch a dated version of one of their 1960s performances. The quality of the video isn’t very good, but boy, does it bring back memories.
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Walled-In is my story of growing up in Berlin during the Cold War. Juxtaposing the events that engulfed Berlin during the Berlin Blockade, the Berlin Airlift, the Berlin Wall and Kennedy’s Berlin visit with the struggle against my equally insurmountable parental walls, Walled-In is about freedom vs. conformity, conflict vs. harmony, domination vs. submission, loyalty vs. betrayal.
