Fasching on Film in Kollnau

This is what happens when they spot you...

 uh-oh…

…and then there was confetti under my hat and down my jacket.  C'est la Fasnet!


A milder Narren, this is what happens when they just want their picture taken:

A common pose to strike is the nose-pick, usually followed by blowing a kiss or handing over some candy.

I did not receive any candy.

I heart Fasnet (part three) - Rosenmontag in Denzlingen

This year we decided to heed the advice of my students and check out the Rosenmontag parade in Denzlingen, as opposed to Freiburg.  It was worth it!  Still a decent-sized parade, but with groups I hadn't seen before (such as Mr. Scary Bo-jingles pictured below) and much better candy.  It was also less crowded.  Oh and did I mention the candy?  You know when you're a kid and go trick-or-treating... there's always that one house with the full-size bars of chocolate as opposed to the fun size.  That was Denzlingen.

Oh, and it snowed some more!

I heart Fasnet (part two) - Fackelumzug

Ah yes, the famous Fackelumzug ("torch parade") of Elzach.  This year marked my 3rd trip to see this traditional event.  And it was the best yet!  We had a great spot on the parade route (I'm guessing it wasn't as crowded this time around since they also had a night parade for their Narrentreff {see previous post}).  Since we had such a great spot, this allowed for me to get hugs and kisses (and sometimes hit with pig bladders) from the Narren, which really made me feel, well, local.

We stayed through to the very end, when they all tossed their torches into a large bonfire pit.  One person caught his 3-cornered hat on fire, but other than that the night was nothing but fun and smooth sailing.

I heart Fasnet (part one) - Elzach Narrentreff

And now time for my most beloved Black Forest tradition - Fasnet!  This year there was a 'Narrentreff' in Elzach, a town just north of here.  It's only in Elzach every 16 years, so I was very lucky (and thrilled!) to have the opportunity to go.

Banner of the Narrenschuttig in Elzach.

Here is one of the Narren (or Harlequins) in action - he's about to hit the woman that was standing next to me with an inflated pig bladder.

Basically all of the men (and a few women) in Elzach dress up and parade.  These groups of Narren are broken up with small bands, dressed as masked clowns.  They all play the same tune, and if you ever get the chance to go to this parade, the song will most certainly stay in your head all day.

This little guy was from one of the other visiting groups that day.  Typically children don't where wooden masks because they are quite expensive to make and they will most likely grow out of them quite quick.  I imagine this mask has been in the family for awhile.  Or maybe it was the mayor's son.

Take a bow, the night is over...

...this masquerade is getting older.


And now we say good-bye to the Fastnacht season.

Bring on the spring!

Fastnacht ist hier!

Berliners, parades, confetti... a hint of Spring in the air.  Costumes and candy and chaos... it's that time of year again --> Fastnacht!

Strangers with candy...

It's okay if it's Fastnacht.