Cologne, Europe Brief News – In Western Germany, the City of Cologne transformed its traditional event of the Rose Monday Carnival celebration into a protest against Russia’s unjustified invasion of Ukraine.
The famous festival that people have been celebrating since middle age, Unfortunately, was initially called off this year citing a surge in coronavirus cases. But the officials decided to hold a peace march in its place to condemn the Russian invasion.
Over 250,000 people appeared to be part of this peace march showing their solidarity with Ukraine, holding a minute’s silence and displaying satirical carnival floats in protest against the ongoing war.
Cologne Carnival
Cologne boasts of Germany’s biggest and most renowned Cologne carnival celebration. Every year preparations for the event start at 11 minutes past 11 on 11 November with festivities officially beginning in early February.
During the celebration street parades, balls and stage show galore all around the city’s streets. Whereas, Kolsch, Cologne’s favourite local beer flows freely in every bar and pub.
It’s been a custom for years that children and adults wear Masquerade costumes along with Venetian masks. People usually prefer a colourful selection of traditional folk clothing.
Anti Putin
The main focus for this year’s Cologne Carnival celebration was Russian President Vladimir Putin. People were mocking Putting with floating signs.
One float featured Putin as a puppet master manipulating Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Another showed him playing with building blocks in order to restore the soviet union.
Another float at the celebration represented a peace dove impaled by a blood-spattered Russian flag. It was the main message delivered by float makers, Carnival organisers goers and carnival organisers.
Holger Kirsch, Leader of Cologne Carnival parade said “ Of course, we raise the issue of Putin’s behaviour in Europe”.
He further added, “It is not tolerable. We denounce it with these carnival floats. And persiflage remains our instrument to point out these grievances”.
After this protest, Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor, reversed a ban on providing Ukraine military assistance. He even announced that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project will be stopped between Germany and Russia.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project is going to massively haunt the former Soviet nation. Scholz also announced 100 billion euros to modernise Germany’s chronically underfunded army.
