I know you are thinking…Carnival or Mardi Gras…already? Here in Ladenburg Germany they celebrate the start of Fastnacht or Fasching on the Saturday after November 11 at 11:11 exactly.
This was my first year experiencing this fest and it was only by chance that I was in attendance. After a week of small festivals and events I have been spending a lot of time getting ready for guests who arrive tomorrow morning. As I was about to have my morning shower…I heard distant drums. I yelled to my husband if he also heard them…..he ran to the window and opened it. ”GET YOUR GEAR ON AND GET GOING”, he yelled to me. As quick as I could I jumped into my hiking clothes, grabbed some empty Compact Flash cards and was out the door. Of course my dog is racing about barking as he just knows he is coming too. Sorry buddy Mamas working!
At a full run I met up with a rag tag band of local folks, many dressed like witches with brooms and others as some kind of fantasy creatures with large hats with dragons and long spikes on their backs. Loud Carnival music filled the air as horns and drums lead the way to the town center.
When I finally reached the front of this unruly pack, I was shocked to find they had our Bürgermeister (MAYOR) tied up in ropes and he was begging for help from everyone he passed. Four or five broom wielding unrelenting witches pushed and shoved him and if anyone answered the Mayors plea for help they too were swatted with these wooden brooms.
This went on all the way through town and several times the mayor even fell on the uneven cobble stones…at one point he escaped the very unhappy band of witches and made a dash for the local Italian place for a speedy espresso, only to be dragged back into the mob.
Even as he made it to the door of the local Rathaus (town hall) they badgered him…even posting some kind of sign on the doors of the hall saying he was unwelcome and it was closed. It took at least a half hour for someone to offer up the keys so he could once again enter his office. He received a thorough frisking by one of the 90 year old witches in an attempt to get the keys from him.
Of course it was all in fun…and great fun it was. Tired from all this running, I decided to head home only to be chased down by a local woman who escorted me back into the Rathaus to have champagne with everyone. Even inside the party continued….pretzels, champagne, orange juice and beer were handed out to all attendees. The band continued to play keeping the festive atmosphere going and children from the local carnival group came and danced.
I know I am always telling you how much I love my adopted town, but I really do and I hope you enjoyed my description of yet another festival I really don’t understand. I just don’t think it translates…but it sure is fun!
If you want more information about Fasching as it is called in this area of Germany here is a great links:Fasching
by lthek
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