A convoy made up of 90 vehicles brought 140 tons of foodstuffs to town. It is
surrounded by a crowd. Staff dressed in red-and-white uniforms are
throwing the convenience goods towards the people, who are desperately
screaming for food. Some of them have come a long way and grab any
package they can get, hold up bags, as well as hats and umbrellas upside
down, hysterically scream at every catch; motivated either by joy or
envy. Security staff try to keep the masses at a safe distance. Children
are poking the garbage for food long after the convoy has passed.
Eritrea? Bangladesh? Afghanistan? Somalia? No. Colonia!
It’s just fun! It’s been a long time that
anybody starved here. They are throwing "Kamelle", i. e. toffees,
and chocolate. What looks like a heathen custom at first glance is a
christian one in
reality: "Carnival" is based on the Latin expression for "no
more meat" ("carne" = meat, levare = "to take
away") and hints at the Lent period immediately before Easter.
(The last night you’re still allowed to tuck in is the so-called
"shrove tuesday".)
Just fun? Some participants pull a face as if they
had been forced to do it:
Other attendants’ smirks
seem to be a bit "put on" ....
But to be
fair: 1 million carnival revellers attended the Carnival Monday Parade
in Cologne on 03/03/03 and had fun, indeed, as you can discern from
these pictures: (Click picture to enlarge)
By the way:
Michael Jackson was there, too. Masked, though, in order to disclose his identity, but I don’t
miss anything!
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Text
and images: Michael von Aichberger.
No duplication without written permission!
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