Tens of thousands flock to Cologne to kick off Carnival season

Germany's Carnival season opened on Friday with tens of thousands of costumed revellers turning out onto the streets and pubs of the western city of Cologne to make merry in a tradition that goes back at least hundreds of years, reported dpa.

Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker said this year's celebration featuring food, drink, dance and parade floats kicked off under the "best conditions" and with "wonderful weather."

She said the partygoers were in a particularly joyous mood as they had Carnival "withdrawal symptoms" for the past two years. The 2020 season was cancelled due to Covid-19 and last year's was held with pandemic restrictions in place. Those curbs have since been lifted.

Carnival begins every year at 11:11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month. Cologne is the epicentre of the parties in Germany, but other cities like Dusseldorf also erupt into tomfoolery.

After November 11, the season percolates for a few months in the more Catholic parts of Germany, culminating in a week of parades and parties before Ash Wednesday in February, when the 40-day Lent fasting season begins.

To keep the festivities under control this year, nearly 1,100 police officers and 150 public order officers have been deployed in Cologne.

The head of the department responsible for the public order office, Dirk Schmaul, urged the revellers "not to urinate in building entrances and to behave a bit."