So, one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Southern Germany is "Faschings" You probably know it better as Carnival. It is the German version of New Orlean's Mardi Gras or Rio's Carnival--and it is much more family friendly :)
It is not just one giant party in one city (though I understand that Cologne's parade is HUGE and draws from all over). It is months of planning, many little parties at schools, and night clubs, and town halls and a party in nearly every little town sometimes between today and next Tuesday (they are intentionally spaced around so that people can go to multiple events, should they so desire).
In our region, next week is a school holiday week, which means that pretty much every school, Rio's included, is having a Faschings Fest today. Many of these parties are simple class parties, with the children wearing their costumes to school (people dress up in fun and silly costumes for Fashcings, much like we do for Halloween in the US. The scary or gory stuff is saved for the growing Halloween celebrations. Faschings is all about FUN--and it is also for ALL ages--kids and adults alike will all be in costume at parties or parades). Some schools will have an after school or evening event and invite families.
And, some classes, especially of older kids, will have an all out all night PAR-TAY. Rio is in "the party class" at his school, which is a perfect fit for him, and they really know how to throw a Faschings Fest (as we saw when he was the new kid last year; having finally gotten into the Heidelberg school after Christmas, having being on the wait list a couple of years).
What amazes me, and that I find really cool, is that it truly is Rio's class, of 8th graders, who are throwing this party. Technically, the Faschings planning season begins on November 11th. On this day clubs will begin planning their costumes or music to play in the local parade, the traditional Berliners (jelly filled donuts that JFK famously claimed to be) appear in the bakeries, and the facebook messages started flying among Rio's classmates.
The teacher, saint that she is, agreed to stay overnight at the school again, so that the kids can party until the next morning, and she approves all plans, but otherwise this party is planned and put on BY THE KIDS. As a Girl Scout leader, we try so hard to get our girls to be girl led and set up their own things--and we do well with it, but I have to say it is astounding just how well organized 37 random 8th graders can be.
So Rio headed off to school today loaded down with a sleeping bag, his costume, food to share for a potluck dinner and boundless energy. Money for drinks was collected weeks ago. Having seen it last year, I am certain tonight his classroom will be transformed into a full on night club, complete with smoke machines laser lights, and a great DJ set up. I was absolutely stunned last year when we got there last year (last year the kids went home for dinner and then back for the overnight, this year they are staying straight through). The costumes will be fabulous--and the class picks a theme every year. Last year it was musicians, this year it is movies.
So, next time you are tempted to think of Germans as serious and hard working all of the time, think of Rio dancing the night away as Maverick from Top Gun and know that while this culture works hard, it also takes pains to grow citizens who KNOW how to throw a party! lol
BTW--we will be at the Heidelberg parade on Tuesday, and I will have plenty of photos of the hijinks to post for you on Wednesday.
Happy Friday Everyone,
Hadley
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