Neighbor News
German Language School, Morris County Celebrates Karneval, January 30
Fasching, Karneval, Fasnacht or Mardi Gras: children and adults celebrate in Germany, Switzerland and Austria with music, dance, parades.
Call it Fasching, Karneval, Fasnacht or Mardi Gras, children and adults in parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria put on their costumes, line the streets for parades, and are showered with candy while shouting “Helau” or “Alaaf” and singing songs. Join the German School of Morris County (www.glsmc.org) for an authentic German Karneval celebration on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 10:15 am to 11:45 am., located on the campus of Morristown Beard School, 70 Whippany Road, Morristown, NJ.
“Called the fifth season, ‘Fasching’ in Germany and Switzerland, has its roots in the Middle Ages and today, it is celebrated throughout northern Europe. Each year we host a Cologne-inspired party that shows the costumes, food and music, and similar to celebrations found in Mainz and Duesseldorf,” says Principal Michaela Greco. “Using these festivities we engage our students not only in language, but share culture, and traditions they will remember long after they leave our classes.”
How is Carnival Celebrated?
Find out what's happening in Morristownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Just as a high school marching band in uniform with epaulettes performs for a crowd, the “Funkenmariechen” girls, dressed in red and white skirt uniforms, will perform traditional dances. The school principal will announce this year’s Prince and Princess who “rule” their “subjects” back home for the duration of the Karneval season. Parents will provide treats that can include traditional Krapfen, similar to doughnuts.
Historically, cities throughout Germany, portions of Austria, and Switzerland celebrate Carnival, which officially begins on November 11th at 11:11 am and continues until the day before Ash Wednesday, the traditional start of the Lenten season, with only a break for Christmas. For some people, Carnival represents good and evil with costumed attendees wearing happy and angry masks to signify the happiness of the approaching spring and/or to ward off the dark, evil spirits of winter. No matter how it’s celebrated, the end of Carnival means that spring is fast approaching.
Find out what's happening in Morristownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
For more information about this event and activities of the German School of Morris County, visit us online at www.glsmc.org and like and share us on Facebook. Video and photos from past celebrations are posted here:
