Munich Carnival is on the brink - market women still train for their dance on the Viktualienmarkt

Created: 01/12/2022, 05:44 AM

From: Claudia Schuri

There is always a happy atmosphere at the dance of the market women at Viktualienmarkt. Christl Lang (left) is the boss of the dancing women. © dpa

It will be an unusual carnival: Because of the corona pandemic, the fools will have to forego many events again this year. A number of balls have already been canceled, and no decision has yet been made for some events. The market women hope - and are already busy training their dances.

Preparations have been going on since November: every Tuesday, some market women from the Viktualienmarkt meet in the parish hall of the Heilig-Geist-Kirche. They rehearse together with a teacher for the traditional dance of the market women on Shrove Tuesday - even if it is unclear whether the carnival can take place on March 1st due to Corona. “Everything is still in the balance,” reports boss Christl Lang, who has been with the dancing market women for 35 years. She emphasizes: "We would also be ready at short notice!"

The women study ten dances.

The program includes waltzes and polka, but also, for example, an Irish and a modern dance.

“There's a colorful mix,” reveals Christl Lang.

Despite all the uncertainties, the fun is not neglected: "The rehearsals are always really fun, we are a good group," says the 68-year-old.

Many carnival joys look forward to the dance

But of course all market women are excited about Shrove Tuesday: "It would be best if we could perform and there is a good atmosphere in the whole audience," says Lang.

Last year, however, the dance was completely canceled.

“Maybe this year it can at least take place in a small group,” she hopes.

That is what the Munich fools wish for.

"A lot of people are already asking," says Standl spokeswoman Elke Fett.

However, they believe that possible access restrictions are not easy to implement on the market.

“It's a public square, the city decides,” she emphasizes.

"We would adhere to all the guidelines."

Would an online dance be an alternative?

“We're still thinking back and forth whether we should do something like that,” says Christl Lang.

First of all, everyone practices diligently - maybe to please the people of Munich after all.

Many balls have already been canceled

Because Corona slows down the Munich carnival.

"We don't have any balls," says host Christian Schottenhamel.

Popular events like the Filser Ball have long been canceled.

“You also have to sell tickets,” he explains.

Many ball organizers therefore need a certain amount of preparation time.

During the course of the week, the Deutsches Theater will make a decision on how to continue with the - already shortened - ball season.

Dance events are banned until January 12th anyway.

The future regulations are dependent on the infection process, explains a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health.

"The state government is carefully monitoring the situation."

It will also be decided in the coming days whether the Damischen Knights can move.

"We will discuss with the city representatives whether it makes any sense at all," says the second chairman, Simon Egger.

In normal years around 45 groups take part in the parade.

This year 21 have registered.

“These are groups that don't need a lot of lead time,” says Egger.

"The boys' associations from the surrounding area don't build wagons."