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Germany: Carnival fans mark pandemic-curbed Rose Monday
Floats, sweets and crowded streets have been swapped for televised puppet parade and comedy performances. Merry-makers in Germany are already facing fines over lockdown-violating Carnival parties.
People in Germany have been finding alternative ways to celebrate this year s Carnival
German Carnival fans settled in for subdued celebrations on Monday, with large parades and parties canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rose Monday, or Rosenmontag, marks the high point of Germany s Carnival celebrations. The merry-making lasts for several days in the lead up to Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of Lent.
In a typical year, thousands of costumed revelers would pack the streets in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz and other cities for a day of dancing, drinking and sweets.
Germany s scaled-down coronavirus Carnival
From drive-in concerts to beer deliveries, Carnival organizers are finding creative ways to celebrate despite the COVID pandemic.
Carnival 2021 is taking place as Germany remains in lockdown
In the summer of 2020, after the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic had subsided, many German carnival associations were optimistic. They had come up with detailed plans to make sure the February 2021 carnival season would comply with hygiene rules and social distancing regulations, while still allowing people to get together and have a good time.
But these plans have long since been off the table. Today, when many celebrations would usually be getting underway in large, crowded venues and tents, Germany remains in strict lockdown. Street carnivals, stage events and parades have been canceled.
Lovingly built and wearing Carnival outfits, traditional puppets get to ride this year's floats in the Cologne Rose Monday parade. The actual parade, a mega event, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.