Morning pint and the reign of fools: Erzgebirge celebrates the start of the carnival!

Morning pint and the reign of fools: Erzgebirge celebrates the start of the carnival!

The carnival is back in full swing – two days earlier than usual! In Burkersdorf the fifth season is celebrated as it should be. The fools from Frauenstein are taking over the reign of the Eastern Ore Mountains and thus mark the official start of the 2025 carnival season. The traditional handover of the keys, which was carried out by Mayor Reiner Hentschel to President Madeleine Skurras, is a real highlight and item on the program of the foolish morning pint.
The anticipation for the upcoming events is growing and shows how lively and colorful the carnival culture is here. The mood is exuberant, preparations for the great days are in full swing.

A look at the traditions

Carnival, carnival or carnival – whatever you call it, you can always rely on the customs before the 40 days of Lent. This time traditionally begins with Ash Wednesday and leads to Easter. The annual foolishness is strongly anchored in Germany, especially in the strongholds of the Rhineland, where the big parades and colorful celebrations also take place. In many regions, costumes, songs and masks as well as the typical jester calls such as “Alaaf” and “Helau” are indispensable. Whether in Cologne, Mainz or Düsseldorf - everyone is already celebrating hard and working towards the climax, from dirty Thursday to Shrove Tuesday.
The oldest mention of Carnival dates back to 1206, which shows how deeply rooted this tradition is in our culture, as does the term “carnival,” which may be related to the Middle Latin “carne levare” (to take away meat).

For many, the time of fools is also accompanied by culinary delights. Greasy foods and sweet pastries are in high demand - before Lent demands more discipline again. The first celebrations are a wonderful foretaste of the extensive festivities to come.

A celebration for the community

Today's celebrations in Burkersdorf not only show the joy of tradition, but also the sense of community that is particularly strong during the carnival season. People come together to celebrate, make music and just have a good time. It's an opportunity to leave everyday life behind and ignore the worries of the year. Especially in these times it is important to give space to such moments and to keep the culture alive.

The carnival season has much more to offer than just a few colorful parades. It is a celebration of conviviality, art and joy, and so the coming weeks will offer countless opportunities to have fun and celebrate life. The organizers have a good hand when it comes to constantly putting together new and exciting events that remain fondly remembered by everyone involved.
The atmospheric opening in Burkersdorf is just the beginning - it remains exciting to see what the next few weeks will bring!