Jecken-Comeback in the 'Sunnesching' - Cologne’s Carnival Season Kicks Off With a Dazzling, Diverse Celebration
Thousands of joyful, costumed revelers gathered in Cologne on Tuesday, November 11, 2023, to celebrate the start of the new carnival season. The event, which kicked off at 11:11 a.m., brought together people from nearly 200 nationalities, highlighting the unifying power of the carnival in a diverse city.
Christoph Kuckelkorn, president of the Festival Committee of the Cologne Carnival, stressed the importance of the event for integration. He noted, 'Carnival brings us all together, transcending boundaries and fostering a sense of community.'
The day marked the 'Eleventh of the Eleventh', a tradition dating back to St. Martin's Day, which historically signified the end of the main event of the harvest season. The origins of carnival's November 11 start date remain unclear, with some theories pointing to the symbolic significance of the number 11 and historical ties to St. Martin's Day celebrations.
In Cologne, the 'Kwartier Latäng' around Zülpicher Straße was the epicenter of the celebrations. The area was filled to capacity by 11:35 a.m., leading to temporary access restrictions. Police and security personnel, numbering over 3,000, were deployed to manage the influx of party tourists.
Meanwhile, in Düsseldorf, the carnival season began with the traditional satirical speech by the jester figure Hoppeditz in front of city hall.
The carnival season in Cologne and Düsseldorf has officially begun, promising a period of joy, unity, and celebration. With its roots deeply embedded in history and its impact on integration in modern times, carnival continues to be a significant cultural event in these cities.
