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Fasching

It’s Carnival Season. Find your ‘Faschings’ Party in California

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It’s the month of the fools! It’s Carnival!

Germany and beyond is in Carnival Fever. No, not to worry, it’s not a dangerous virus causing this outbreak. Though, it can be contagious!

Dancing, masquerades, and political satire are high in season. No-one is safe in this public outbreak of having-a-fun-time. Most of the bigger cities in German-speaking countries have big events planned for the next couple of weeks. Even smaller communities know how to pay proper tribute to ‘Fasching’.

Kids are looking forward to Carnival all year-long. It’s their time to be Spiderman or a queen for the day, and dress up as their favorite character. In fact, until Halloween had conquered Germany, Fasching somewhat resembled Halloween “German style”, at least in respect to wearing costumes.

And then, February 14th comes, and it’s all over! At least this year…

All the fun is suddenly over on February 14th this year! However, not because of Valentine’s Day. 🙂  This year, 2018, Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday share the same date and Ash Wednesday rings in the Season of Lent. For many Christians around the world, Lent is a time of fasting in preparation for Easter. Carnival is over until next year!

So party your heart out, before it’s too late! To help you find a suitable event we have listed a few that were mentioned to us:

Fasching for Children:

GermanSchoolCampus – Newport Beach:
February 10 – Carnival Party at German School Campus for young and old from 4pm – 6pm (Free Event)

German American School Association (GASA) at the PhoenixClub – Anaheim
February 11th – Kinderkarneval with Youth Dance Group. Event in the Ball Room at 1pm, (Free Event)

Tivoli Rainbow Garden Preschool – Los Angeles:
February 11th – Fasching At the WirtshausLA, 345 N La Brea Avenue , 3pm-6pm

Karneval for Adults:

Phoenix Club – Anaheim (SoCal)
February 10th – Karneval – Auf der Reeperbahn with Edmonton Blauen Funken, 7:00 pm . Admission: $5/person

Karneval/Mardi Gras/Fasching Costume Ball in Marin County (NorCal)
February 10th -Hosted by Hermann Sons Petaluma Lodge, 860 Western Avenue, Petaluma .Doors open 6:00 p.m., Dancing 7:00 p.m. Admission: $25/person

Image: Pixabay.com

 

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Helau and Alaaf – Carnival Tradition in Germany

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HELAU AND ALAAF – CARNIVAL TRADITION IN GERMANY

This upcoming Thursday, certain cities in Germany, including my hometown Dusseldorf, are going to be crowded with thousands of people – adults as well as children – dressed up in costumes. Welcome to the yearly tradition of Carnival.  For those of you who have never heard of this festivity before, I would describe it as a mixture of Halloween (minus the scary costumes) plus Mardi Gras.

Due to the fact that I grew up in a so-called Carnival central city, I basically was born into the tradition.  Today I can gladly say that I don’t miss it one bit, but back when I was living in Europe I did feel obligated to participate.  So what does Carnival consist of?

This time of the year, which is also named the 5th season, actually starts in November on 11-11 at 11:11 a.m., but the peak of the tradition happens around late February/ beginning of March on a Thursday.  That day called “Altweiber” (old women), it is common at work for women to cut off the men’s ties with scissors and then celebrate on the streets and at bars till late at night.

The highlight of the Carnival celebration is held on Monday with the Rose Monday parades, which are very popular in the cities of Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Mainz.  The 5th season usually ends that following Wednesday, called Ash Wednesday.

To sum it up, Carnival is one of the biggest events celebrated in Germany with parades, costume balls, and street parties.  There are two popular cries that you would be hearing a lot during this time: Helau in Dusseldorf and Mainz, and Alaaf in Cologne, Bonn, and Aachen.

I personally enjoyed this celebration more when I was a little kid in kindergarten and elementary school.  I mean, what kid doesn’t like to dress up.  My favorite costume of all time used to be a cat.  Cats were my favorite animal back then, so luckily for my parents they could recycle my costume every year and didn’t have to get a new one.

Being an adult, I never found it too appealing to put on a costume and get drunk on the streets, even though I participated a couple times.

What changed my perception a little bit was when I actually joined a show dance group that performed during masquerade balls.  I received this opportunity when I was living with my sister in a very small town in the mountains.

A friend of a friend happened to be one of the dancers, and since I loved dancing and had been doing it throughout my entire life, I saw the chance to become part of the group through that connection since they were in need of an additional performer.

For two years I was a member of this group.  And what can I say, I loved it.  I loved rehearsing for the show, performing on stage, and participating in tournaments.  But I still wasn’t too fond about everything else that included Carnival.

Once it was clear that I would be moving to the United Stands, I obviously had to end my time with this group.  It was a fun two years, but I am not missing it much nowadays.  But for everyone else who is a great fan of Carnival, have fun out there these next couple of days!

Image: pixabay.com
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Anne-KathrinAnne-Kathrin Schulte, is a contributor for CaliforniaGermans.com. She writes on her personal experience of the American Dream as well as on working as an au pair in CA. She was born and grew up in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she completed her degree as a state-approved Kindergarten teacher. After her au pair engagement in the US and a quick return to Germany she decided to attend university in California and moved back to the United States. She has been living in Southern California since 2011.

If you would like to contact Anne-Kathrin, please send an email to californiagermans(at)gmail.com and place her name in the subject line.

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Karneval – Carnival – Fasching in CA

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carnival berlin

How about ‘Karneval’ time in California?

I am not sure about other expats, but since I have moved over here to California, Fasching has moved far away from me. Not that I suddenly became a ‘Faschingsmuffel’ (carnival grouch). No, but no one out here in California celebrates Fasching the way I remember it from Germany.

You can participate in Mardi Gras celebrations in San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco, but that’s not our German Fasching! Some Italian restaurant recently has taking advantage of this ‘fourth season’, as some call the carnival time in Germany, to push their new menu. But other than a special menu, no Venetian masquerade was offered with it. So, I wonder what food they might promote. A dressed up Pizza perhaps?

Anyway, Fasching is a wonderful tradition in Germany, but really nobody celebrates it here in California the way we are used to, UNLESS you have children or have a lot of German friends, who throw a ‘Karneval’ party.

Luckily some German schools out here try to keep our children in the loop and teach them some German traditions. They put on a fun ‘Faschings Fete’ and teach our children what Fasching is all about. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they even have some delicious Krapfen or Berliner, the official Carnival’s food…and, the real reason I love Fasching!

So, pack up your children  and let them experience some German Fasching out here in CA!

Following are some festivities we could locate. If you hear of some other Faschings parties. Please let us know!

12. February 2017– Kinderkarneval at Phoenix club. A fun filled event for children of all ages at 1:10pm . More information: http://www.thephoenixclub.com/?upcoming-event=kinderkarneval

25. February 2017 – German School Campus in Newport Beach celebrates from 4pm-6pm at the Youth Center Newport Sea Base, 1931 West Coast Why, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Please make a reservation:
                                                                                            Age group: 7 to 18                                                                                                 
GERMAN SCHOOL campus: (949) – 229 – 7389
Email: mail@GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com
Age group: 4 to 6
Ute’s KinderSchule: (949) – 786 – 3877
Email: UtesKinderSchule@gmail.com
For more information: http://germanschoolcampus.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/karneval-flyer-2017.pdf

25 February 2017 – The German International School of Silicon Valley (GISSV)’s East Bay campus invites people of all ages to explore not only a new school location in Emeryville but also celebrate the beloved Karneval tradition with them!
Start out with an Open House at 11 am, then join in the German Family Karneval in the Bay Area at 1pm.
1070 41st Street, Emeryville
11 am – 1 pm: Open House
1 – 5 pm: Karneval
For more information: https://www.facebook.com/GISSV-Family-Karneval-313153975557456/?pnref=story

25 February 2017 – GASA German American School Association’s    will have GASA Board member Susan Navarro and her husband act as this year’s Prinzenpaar of the Anaheim Karnevalsgesellschaft. Please join them at the Prunksitzung in the Pavilion at the Phoenix Club, featuring German satire, comedy, music & dancing, performances by the Prinzengarde, skits, laughter and fun. Saturday evening, at 7 pm, at the Phonenix Club in Anaheim.                    Address: 1340 S Sanderson Ave, Anaheim, CA 92806. Admisssion is free.

…and what concerns those delicious Krapfen? We got word that Old World Huntington Beach has fresh ones daily, and Esther’s German Bakery in Los Altos serves them as well!

Helau!

Credits: Pixabay.com

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Carnival Party at GermanSchoolCampus in Newport Beach

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Karneval Photo_Fotor

It’s Faschingzeit! At least in Germany the ‘Narrenzeit’ (Time of the Fools) has already started quite a while ago, on November 11 at 11:11 am to be precise. But German Karneval peaks especially in the week before Ash Wednesday and on “Rosenmontag” (Rose Monday) and “Faschingsdienstag” (Shrove Tuesday) one can witness crazy parades especially around the Rhineland but also in other cities throughout Germany.

To get a glimpse into German Karneval festivities GermanSchoolCampus is inviting to a Karneval Party for children at their school in Newport Beach, CA, on February 6th from 4pm-6pm. Children are encouraged to come in costumes. Get ready for a fun afternoon of dances like “Macarena, Fliegerlied , 99 Luftballons“, games and dances with balloons, can toss and of course, musical chairs.

Have fun and enjoy a traditional “Berliner” at the party! The “Berliner”, official Karneval’s food, is a kind of donut usually with an apricot jam filling in the middle. The “Berliner” known also as “Krapfen” in the South of Germany go also for “Puffel” in the area around Aachen. Either way they are a delicious treat to sweeten up the Faschings festivities and an absolute ‘must’ for all Karneval Pros!

WHAT: Karneval Party by GermanSchoolCampus & Ute’s KinderSchule

WHERE: GermanSchoolCampus at Youth Center Newport Sea Base at          1931 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach, CA 92663

WHEN: Saturday, February 6th, 2016 – 4pm-6pm

Please RSVP, so that a “Berliner” will be waiting for you!                           GERMAN SCHOOL campus: (949) – 229 – 7389 – Email: principal@GERMANSCHOOLcampus.com

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"Trick or Treat" or "Süßes, sonst gibt's Saures"

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Halloween, a German tradition made in the USA

Today is Halloween! A holiday unknown to Germans or at least not being celebrated in Germany until the 1990s. But this has changed!

Today it’s “Süsses oder Saures!” all over Germany – the phrase we know here in California as “Trick or Treat!”

In 2009 the holiday Halloween helped to drive sales up to almost 30 million Euros in Germany and in 2011 it’s believed to have generated sales already of 200 million Euros! Quite some increase, but still not comparable to the USA.

October 31 has actually been an important protestant church holiday in Germany, “Reformations-Tag”, remembering Martin Luther; but this day of contemplation and reflection, even thought still on the church calendar, had to make way for the ‘funner’ Halloween celebrations.

A specialized section within the toy industry, “”Fachgruppe Karneval im Deutschen Verband der Spielwarenindustrie (DVSI)” claims to have brought the tradition to Germany way back then in the 90’s. Since then it’s become an economic factor. What a clever act if you think that the official start for Carnival or “Fasching” is just around the corner, November 11, at 11:11 a.m.!

It seems that celebrating Halloween in Germany has moved that date to October 31 and that “Narrenzeit” is starting today!  Should I say, “Helau”…!?

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Further Reads:

http://www.umwelt-im-unterricht.de/medien/bilder/halloween-in-zahlen-und-fakten-gssek/

http://www.stern.de/panorama/gesellschaft/halloween–so-kam-der-grusel-aus-den-usa-nach-deutschland-3526542.html

http://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Handel-liebt-Halloween-article7591461.html

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Image: Wikipedia

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Fasching, Fastnacht, Carnival – Helau!

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Are you ready for the last days of Fasching? Yes, the Carnival or ‘närrische Zeit’ of the year as some name it is coming to an end. The last week of Fasching, the actual ‘Fastnachtswoche’,  is starting this Thursday with the Weiberfastnacht culminating in Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) and  Faschings-Dienstag (also called Veilchendienstag) before Ash Wednesday calls an end to the time of costume balls and masquerade parades and fun.

HISTORICAL Roots of Fasching

Even though some of the carnival’s roots go back to the Romans and their festivals of Saturnalia and Bacchanalia, the tradition of the Fasching and Carnival as we know it now started in the medieval times. Originally tied to the Liturgical Year Church Calendar Fasching or Carnival started officially on January 6th , Epiphany or ‘Dreikönigsfest’, and ended on Ash Wednesday ringing in the 40 days of Lent, during which time no rich foods, such as meat, dairy, fats and sugar and alcohol were allowed.

In 1823 a special Carnivals committee in Cologne decided to have carnival begin on the 11. of November the same day as St. Martin’s Day but at the exact time of 11:11am. This seemed to create the perfect “Carnival date” of the 11.11 of any year at 11:11am.  In Cologne carnival is part of the city’s history and this date marked the day of the official initiation of the Faschings Prince and Princess and the starting of costume balls and masquerade parties.

Carnival or Fasching – “Say Good-Bye to Meat & Alcohol”

The word Carnival evolved most likely  from the Latin words carne and vale which means something like “say good-bye to meat”, announcing the time of fasting that would follow the excessive partying.

Fasching , Fastnacht or Fasnacht (Switzerland) refers to the long night before the fasting starts . In fact the ‘long night’ means actually the six days from Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) to Faschingsdienstag (Tuesday before ash Wednesday). The word is thought to come from fasting and night but folk etymological roots point also to the word “Fastenschank”, which means the last (alcoholic) drink before the fasting.

The term Fasching is mostly used in Bavaria and Austria.

Carnival and Fasching Traditions

How Carnival is celebrated varies from region to region within Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and of course it takes on quite a different color and flavor if we go outside the German speaking countries. Think of the celebrations in other countries, like the Carnival in Venice or the one in Rio, Brazil!

Parades and costume balls are custom all over Germany during carnival season with the biggest and most famous ones in Cologne, Mainz and Düsseldorf happening on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday). During this time scathing political and social commentary, fantastic costumes and normal citizens in the role of kings and princes, knights and generals are part of the fun while the rich and pretentious in society are ridiculed by “fools” and Court jesters.

An institution for every serious Carnival Club is having an official “Faschings Prinzenpaar”, the Carnival’s designated Prince and Princess, who are getting elected for the Faschings season on November 11th and will guide the crowd of “Faschings fools” (das Narrenvolk) through all festivities.

Faschings KrapfenThe two most used traditional salutations in Germany during Carnival are “Helau” and “Alaaf”.  And what is the most famous Faschings food?

The “Faschings” Krapfen!      This delicacy resembles a doughnut, but definitely is not one, and it is absolutely essential to have them for every Faschings party!

Many regions have their very own special Fasching traditions. In Munich for example everyone looks forward to the Tanz der Marktweiber at the Viktualienmarkt (dance of the merchant women of the Viktualienmarkt) on Schäfflertanz in MünchenFaschingsdienstag (Tuesday),  the Schäfflertanz and the traditional Weisswurstessen (Bavarian White sausage feast) on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday). On that day every guest in the inner city is invited by the local restaurants to indulge on a Weisswurst for Euro 1 each. But only from 9am to 12noon, since a Weisswurst needs to have been eaten before the midday’s bell ringing!

weisswurstOh, and did you know…?  The Weisswurst ‘was born’ in Munich on Rosenmontag during Fasching in 1857!

Plan your own Faschings Party

Outside of Germany, Austria and Switzerland it’s sometimes hard to find traditional German foods. We are always on the search, and so far GermanDeli’s online store has never disappointed us and stays our favorite. Their “Brezen” are delicious and, if you are looking for Faschings-Krapfen to highlight your own Faschingsparty, you can find them at their online store too!

To top it all of, you can even host a traditional Weisswurstessen! We found Weisswürste, the typical sweet Mustard that goes with it, Brezen and Weissbier all at GermanDeli.com. Just make sure your “Weisswurst” is all eaten before the bell rings in noon!

So, here is to you!

Helau and Alaaf! Have a fun Carnival Week!

DATES for 2013:
Weiberfastnacht: Feb. 7, 2013
Rosenmontag: Feb. 11, 2013
Faschingsdienstag: Feb. 12, 2013
Aschermittwoch: Feb. 13, 2013
 
Sources:
Wikipedia Germany
TK Logo Wissenschaftsmagazin
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HALLOWEEN – The Informal Start of Winter And The Holiday Season

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Driving through the neighborhoods one can see ghouls and ghosts and pumpkins everywhere: Halloween! Kids are eagerly watching the neighbors’ decorations and are bound to top them with scarier stuff on their own front porch. Young & old seem to love Halloween, the dress-up parties and whatever else comes with it.

When I moved to California Halloween was a custom I knew of, but never had observed, since there was no such festivity in Germany at that time. Times have changed and I am witnessing my family and friends over there today engaging in Halloween parties, getting the kids ready for their Halloween trick or treat night as if they lived right next door to me! “Hey, that’s not fair” my little one exclaims. “They have Fasching twice!”

Not really but in essence true. But where does the Halloween custom come from and is there some correlation to our German Fasching? Wikipedia gives an in depth explanation on Halloween mentioning that the word Halloween came up the first time in the 16th century and represented a Scottish version of All-Hallows-Even (Hallow meaning in old English, Saints) and therefore was the night before All Saints Day, a holiday observed by most of the Western Christian world. People had the superstitious belief that during that time the dead could return to earth and according to the ancient Celtic ‘Samhain’ celebration, which influenced Halloween as well, spirits both harmless and harmful could pass through to the world. To ward of these spirits ancient Celts disguised themselves as harmful spirits themselves so they would not be harmed.

The tradition of kids going from door to door apparently stems from the medieval times “ when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1) receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2)” (Wikipedia)

Halloween seems to also mark a turning point where fall for sure turns into winter. The months for various festivities  have started and we are being reminded that the end of the year is near. Interesting also here the relation to the festival of Samhain that celebrates the end of the “lighter half” of the year and beginning of the “darker half”. It is in fact sometimes regarded as the “Celtic New Year” (Wikipedia).  The Romans had a festival ‘Feralia’ where the spirits of the dead were honored. Feralia though was celebrated in February, which brings us back to the German Fasching being related to Halloween after all. One memorable Weiberfastnacht’s event near Garmisch Partenkirchen in fact brings back images of horrible witches and other scary figures streaming through the villages. Isn’t that similar to what we will experience tomorrow night?

By the way, the official start of our German Fasching is also in November. To be exact November 11, at 11:11 am!

“HAPPY HALLOWEEN”

 

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