As of: February 8, 2024, 7:24 p.m
By: Christoph Gschoßmann
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Carnival costumes should be colorful and fun.
But if you ignore a few basic rules, you could be in for a nasty surprise.
Frankfurt – There are no limits to creativity when it comes to costuming at carnival.
It is not for nothing that the best and most unusual costumes are awarded prizes at many events in the fifth season.
But in various aspects there are limitations that you as a Jecke should not exceed.
Anyone who does so must expect hefty fines or even that the night will end not in ecstasy but behind bars.
When choosing the right costume, special attention should be paid to the weapons.
These are indispensable for many costumes, because a knight carries a sword, a cowboy or cowgirl carries a pistol or pirates carry a saber.
But the dummies must not resemble the real equivalents too closely, otherwise they are considered a “sham weapon”.
Anyone who carries this with them, for example with a real firearm that has been rendered unusable, must expect a fine.
This can be up to 10,000 euros.
Avoid overly realistic uniforms and right-wing extremist costumes at carnival
Uniform costumes shouldn't be too realistic either.
Especially when it comes to police uniforms, the costume should be visibly different from the appearance of real officers.
The Criminal Code clearly states in Section 132a: “Anyone who wears domestic or foreign uniforms, official clothing or official badges without authorization will be punished with a prison sentence of up to one year or a fine.” Also in the interests of carnival visitors, it is important to avoid other people could think you were a real police officer.
Anyone who wears the wrong costume at Carnival will face a fine or a prison sentence (symbolic photo).
© Ralph Peters/Imago
Even when it comes to right-wing extremism, there are costumes that are strictly prohibited.
Wearing costumes that contain, for example, a swastika or other seditious or unconstitutional costumes is considered a criminal offense.
The (double) Sieg rune (the symbol of the SS) and the Celtic cross are also forbidden, as are codes such as 88 (symbolic of Heil Hitler), WP (White Power), Black Sun, the Reich War Flag, SGH (Sieg Heil) and B&H ( Blood and Honor/slogan of the Hitler Youth).
Anyone who violates this must expect not only a fine, but also a prison sentence of up to three years.
Exhibitionism and the ban on masking during carnival – you should be aware of this
It's not just the type of costume that can cause problems, but also the size.
For example, there is also a “too little” here: Unlike the carnival in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (where there is currently a threat of carnival cancellation), in Germany care is taken to ensure that not too much bare skin is visible.
Anyone who doesn't take this seriously could be committing the criminal offense of an exhibitionist act, causing public nuisance.
Total disguise: Costumes à la “Squid Game” can lead to problems.
© Netflix/dpa
Not only too little, but also too much costume could result in a penalty.
For example, if you dress up as a guard from the Netflix show “Squid Game,” this falls under the ban on masking.
It is forbidden to cover oneself completely at public gatherings or in traffic.
This can result in a fine (around a fine of 60 euros) or a prison sentence of up to one year.
However, when it comes to masking, officials often turn a blind eye at Carnival.
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There are forbidden costumes on the road
Safety is the top priority, especially in traffic, and overly bulky costumes get in the way.
Neither vision, hearing nor freedom of movement may be restricted by the costume.
A monkey head or a full-body dinosaur costume are not compatible with traffic safety.
If the view is obstructed, a fine of ten euros is possible.
If there is a hindrance or danger, there may also be a violation of the general duty of care and result in a fine of between 20 and 35 euros.
In the event of an accident, fully comprehensive insurance can refuse to cover the damage or, in the event of liability, reduce the claims.
The following applies to footwear: you must be able to ensure control of the vehicle at all times.
It's best to only put on your clown shoes or ski boots after the ride.
There are also costumes that are not banned, but should be reconsidered for another reason.
Disguises with stereotypes of indigenous people of North America or other ethnic groups.
The Native American Association of Germany also complains about this: “A large part of the German population does not want to say goodbye to the stereotypical ideas that are associated with cherished childhood memories.”
After a carnival parade, there was a serious accident during the 2023 carnival in Enkirch.
A young man is taken to a clinic with serious injuries.
(cgsc)