Status: 08.11.2023, 13:09 PM
By: Mara Geißen, Sofia Popovidi
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On 11.11. the new carnival session begins. The date is one of the most important dates in the Cologne Carnival. 11 facts about 11.11. in Cologne.
Cologne – On November 11, only one topic will be in the spotlight in Cologne: the Cologne Carnival. Every year, tens of thousands of people celebrate the start of the session – in the streets, in the pubs and at parties. In 11, even more people will celebrate November 2023 in Cologne, because this year it falls on a Saturday. 11RHEIN shows 11 things you should know about 24/11 in Cologne.
1. A big party all over Cologne on 11.11.
Colourfully dressed, the Jecken gather in front of the Cologne Cathedral on 11.11. The atmosphere is exuberant every year. © Oliver Berg/dpa
The 11th of November in Cologne is one thing above all: a huge street party, so we can only hope that the weather will play along on the 11th of November in Cologne. Many Cologne residents are really looking forward to this day and are already thinking about costume ideas and party plans weeks in advance. On this day, the countdown is counted down in many Cologne districts shortly before 11:11 a.m. and the new carnival session is celebrated. The entire city area is turned upside down. Thousands of disguised people roam the streets, with one costume crazier than the other. There is swaying, kissing and drinking a lot of Kölsch. On 11.11., young and old meet in pubs and bars to celebrate one of the most important days in Cologne.
2. "Et echt kölsche Jeföhl" in the pub
Numerous Jecken are drawn to the pubs in Cologne on 11.11. Above all, the long-established people of Cologne like to celebrate so much (symbolic image). © Future Image/Imago
Long-established Cologne residents love the carnival. But not like the young people in the disco or in the club. "Dat echt kölsche Jeföhl" is most likely to be felt in the "Kneipp around the corner". Here you can comfortably drink one or the other Kölsch. The "ahl kamelle" songs by Willi Ostermann or Willy Millowitsch are heard and sung along. There is swaying and laughing, all in a rustic cozy atmosphere.
Flönz, Kölsch & Mett – typical food
Caps are a classic pastry in the Cologne Carnival. (Symbolic image) © Westend61/Imago
On 11.11. it's that time again and the real Cologne dishes are on the table. In addition to the classics "Himmel un Ääd", "Halve Hahn" and especially "Flönz" (black pudding), the Mettbrötchen is not to be missed. Young people also like to have breakfast with the first Kölsch for breakfast in the morning before partying. A well-known carnival classic is also the "Ähzezupp" (pea soup).
For the sweet tooth, classics such as Berliners, doughnuts or even caps and caps should not be missing. Like doughnuts and doughnuts, hats and caps are fatty pastries. Cap almonds are small balls of dough and are reminiscent of almonds in shape. Caps are larger pieces of dough that are rolled out flat and tend to be crispy. Both are sprinkled with powdered sugar.
- By the way: In Carnival compact you will find all the news about the 11th of November in Cologne.
4. "Alaaf" or "Helau"? The right fool's call
The Alaaf lettering with Cologne's coat of arms can be found on the banks of the Rhine in front of Cologne Cathedral. © Horst Galuschka/Imago
Particularly important is the right fool's call, which becomes a battle cry of its own depending on the city and region. "Alaaf" is the Cologne jester's call, which should not be confused with "Helau", the battle cry of the people of Düsseldorf. In North Rhine-Westphalia, however, there are numerous other jester's calls: the people of Paderborn, for example, shout "Hasipalau" and in Tönisvorst it is called "Klappertüt".
Höhner, Brings & Co. – the most important carnival bands
The Höhner are a cult in Cologne. Some of her best-known songs include Schenk mir dein Herz and Viva Colonia (archive image). © /Horst Galuschka/Imago
Above all, the Carnival is a musical soundtrack for the period from 11/11 to Ash Wednesday. Hits such as "Viva Colonia", "Kölsche Jung", "Leev Marie" or "Stadt met K" run on a continuous loop in the fifth season. Bands such as the "Höhner", "Brings", "Kasalla" and "Klüngelköpp" not only boom out of every side and main street during the holidays, but also perform everywhere in Cologne and the region. However, the fact that carnival bands can do more than carnival becomes clear at the latest when 1. FC Köln scores as soon as the anthem "Wenn et Trömmelche jeht" is played.
6. The number 11 plays an important role
The 11th of November is one of the most important dates in Cologne and the Cologne Carnival. (Symbolic image) © Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa
Clearly, the date rolls off the tongue easily – but that's not the reason why the number eleven plays such an important role in carnival. There are many myths and traditions. On the one hand, the number is supposed to symbolize the unity and equality of all fools.
Others claim that there is a political reference to the number eleven in Carnival: since the French Revolution, ELF has stood for E = Egalité, L = Liberté and F = Fraternité (Equality, Liberty and Fraternity). And because Cologne was occupied by France for a long time, the number still plays a major role for Kölle today. Another legend, on the other hand, says that the number in its original meaning is considered a representation of sin. Eleven is the number right between the Ten Commandments and the twelve apostles. In Christianity, the number therefore has a symbolic meaning, it has been considered unchristian since the Middle Ages. Fittingly, many Jecke take to the streets at Carnival to celebrate and drink, before fasting until Easter.
Therefore, there is no one meaning and explanation for the enormous significance of the number eleven in the Cologne Carnival. But that's exactly what makes carnival so special: Even if the exact background is unclear, the feeling is right and you just celebrate it with it.
7. 11/11 is colorful!
At Carnival, the costumes are in the foreground. © Christoph Hardt/Imago
Carnival and costumes always go hand in hand. During Carnival, everyone is up for it and dresses up as colorful and cheerful as possible. Whether classically in the Cologne colours "rut un wies" or rather as a cat, cowboy or pirate. Anything goes. Weeks before 11.11., the Jecken are already thinking about their costume for the new session. No one, as the Cologne native says, is "schääl anjeluurt" (looked at stupidly) if he is not dressed normally. But that wasn't always the case. In the past, carnival was a rather serious affair. Until the 60s, people wore smart suits and dresses at the carnival meetings. And even today, several tailcoat societies and the numerous ceremonial meetings in the Cologne Carnival remind us of those days.
8. Cologne's cordiality
For many people who don't come from the Rhineland, the Cologne mentality at carnival may be a change at first. The people of Cologne are considered to be particularly warm, open and sociable - this is especially noticeable on the carnival days. On 11.11., it can quickly happen that complete strangers sway together in a pub and talk about God and the world over a Kölsch. A little kiss, i.e. a kiss on the cheek, can also be distributed, which should not be understood as a pick-up line.
9. A carnival language excursion
The word "carnival" has been historically documented since the 17th century. The exact origin is unclear. Again, there are different opinions and theories. Among other things, it is believed to derive from the Italian word "carnevale", which roughly means "meat, farewell" and is a reminder of the upcoming Lent.
Others believe that the word has its roots in the Latin "carrus navalis" – a "ship of fools". In the Middle Ages, this was a symbolic representation of a society that indulged, ate and drank only for its own well-being and strongly disliked intellectual efforts. From this point of view, the carnival is supposed to be a state of emergency that brings joy and allows for crazy things.
10. The biggest events at the start of the session
On 11.11., tickets for the carnival event in the Tanzbrunnen are in great demand. (archive image). © Chai von der Laage/imago
Basically, people celebrate everywhere. On the left bank of the Rhine, however, there will be a particularly big celebration at the opening of the session on the Heumarkt with a colourful stage programme on 11.11. or around Zülpicher Straße. And there are also two large organized carnival events on the right bank of the Rhine: At the "Eleventh in the Eleventh", more than 10,000 people come together in the Lanxess Arena. The opening session at the Tanzbrunnen – "Cologne Countdown" – offers a more family-friendly alternative, with popular Cologne bands and musicians on stage. By the way: Due to the opening of the session, there will be numerous diversions and separations at the KVB trains on 11.11.
11. Zülpicher Straße on 11.11. – a thorn in the side of many
Cologne wants to make 11/11 safer with various measures, especially on Zülpicher Straße (symbolic image). © Christoph Hardt/Imago
A particularly large number of people cavort every year, especially on Zülpicher Straße. It is a popular meeting point for young people and tourists and a hotspot for potential riots – and therefore a thorn in the side of many Cologne residents. "You may or may not like the way people celebrate here. But that's what young people do," said Cologne's Lord Mayor Henriette Reker at the opening of the 2022 session. She admitted that too many people were out and about in too small a space, but defended the city's security concept. Especially in 2022, there was chaos in the city center at Carnival.
In order to enable people to have a safe carnival, this concept is adapted every year, discussed, but also criticized. This year's 11.11. falls on a Saturday - and numerous parties and events await the costumed visitors in 2023 as well. (spo/mcg)