Up to 10,000 euros fine: These costumes are forbidden at carnival

At carnival, certain costumes are prohibited by law.

This also includes real costume classics.

There are high fines and even prison sentences.

Cologne – When it comes to costumes at the Cologne Carnival, there are no limits to the imagination – actually.

In fact, many costumes and even certain accessories are prohibited.

And even real costume classics can quickly become a problem.

Under certain circumstances, fines of up to 10,000 euros or prison sentences of up to 3 years may even threaten, reports 24RHEIN.

But which costumes are better to avoid at Cologne Carnival 2023?

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Certain costumes are prohibited by law at carnival (symbol image).

© epd/Imago

Which carnival costumes are forbidden and what penalties are imminent

While there are no basic disguise regulations or costume laws, individual costumes could become a misdemeanor or even a criminal offense due to certain paragraphs.

This includes, for example, costumes as a knight, pirate or policeman and soldier.

These costumes can be problematic at carnival

• Knight

• pirate

• police officer

• soldier

• terrorist

Cologne Carnival 2023: Why police costumes can become a problem

Carnival fans who want to dress up as police officers or soldiers should take a close look when buying a costume.

Because the costume must not look too real.

If it is a costume that deceptively resembles a real uniform or is even an original service uniform, it is prohibited.

There is a risk of a

.

"This is to prevent confusion with 'real' police officers in uniform," says the specialist portal

.

Carnival in Cologne: why pirate costumes can become a problem – fines of up to 10,000 euros

Popular costumes such as a knight or pirate could also become a problem under certain circumstances - at least if the carnival fans also carry a weapon with their costume.

Although dummy weapons or swords are generally permitted, they must not look too real.

If this is the case, these are so-called apparent weapons.

And according to Section 42a of the Weapons Act, they are not allowed to be carried.

"If someone violates this requirement, this administrative offense can 

 result in a

Cologne Carnival: Unconstitutional costumes are prohibited - up to 3 years in prison

Unconstitutional symbols and costumes are also prohibited at carnival.

This includes appropriate disguises as a jihadist or costumes with National Socialist ideology, explains

.

No-gos include an Adolf Hitler costume or wearing a swastika and abbreviations such as WP (= "White Power"), SGH (= "Sieg Heil") and B & H (= "Blood and Honor") .

If these symbols or abbreviations are worn as costumes, it is a criminal offence.

There is a risk

.

What carnival fans need to know for Weiberfastnacht and Shrove Monday 2023 in Cologne

► Weiberfastnacht falls on February 16 this year.

Shrove Monday is February 20th

► In Cologne there are countless carnival events in the 2023 session.

24RHEIN has an overview of all events in the jecken world.

► The city has set special safety rules for the Cologne Carnival.

► Carnival compact has all the news about the Cologne carnival.

Carnival in Cologne 2023: The thing sets the dress code for women's carnival

But it's not just because of the laws that carnival fans should avoid one or the other costume.

Many clubs and pubs in Cologne also have a dress code again for this session.

Costumes that copy the clothes of emergency services are undesirable, explains Claudia Wecker, owner of the student club "Das Ding".

"Carnival, there are often very confusing situations and especially in the dark it is often challenging to distinguish real from fake emergency services," explains the Cologne native.

"I think you don't need such costumes and you have so much cooler and better ideas!"

24RHEIN has an overview of which costumes are trending at the Cologne Carnival 2023.

Also included is one or the other cheap fairing option.

And homemade costumes are also in trend this year.

List of rubrics: © epd/Imago