Jewish Carnival revelers in Cologne have formed a club named "Kölsche Kippa Köpp," or KKK for short. The initials were made infamous by the Ku Klux Klan, but hold an entirely different meaning for Cologne Jews.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Vennenbernd
Advertisement
For the first time since the 1930s, Jewish fans of the Cologne Carnival can join their very own club — the "Kölsche Kippa Köpp," or KKK.
A local Jewish group officially unveiled the Kölsche Kippa Köpp (Cologne Yarmulke Heads) association on Monday, in a bid to revive a tradition destroyed by the Nazi regime.
"Cologne Jews have always been a part of the multifaceted Carnival life, but they have not been visible for a long time," club president Aaron Knappstein said.
The club's founders said they chose the name as a nod to a pre-war club that also had the initials KKK.
In the early 1920s, a Jewish textile trader and Carnival fan, Max Solomon, started a bowling association that eventually called itself the "Kleiner Kölner Klub" (Small Cologne Club).
The club became popular among the city's Jewish revelers. Members staged masked balls and took part in costume festivals, according to the city's daily newspaper, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger.
But the club fell apart after the Nazis came to power in 1933. Many club members were murdered and others were forced to flee the country.
"We are very much aware of the traditions of the previous KKK, but we are also happy to start new traditions," Knappstein was quoted as saying by the DPA news agency.
German carnival season kicks off
Every year on 11/11, at 11:11 a.m., costumed people storm the town halls and symbolically take power for the coming weeks. It marks the beginning of the carnival season, which Germans also call the "fifth season."
Image: dapd
The significance of all those elevens
Since the Middle Ages, the number 11 has stood for excess and sin. A number with repeated digits is known as a "Schnapszahl" (schnapps number) in German. Fortunately, this year, carnival revelers don't have to heed coronavirus safety regulations, meaning they can party and enjoy themselves just like in the old days.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. von Erichsen
The Hoppeditz awakens
This jester-like figure is typical of Düsseldorf. At 11:11 a.m. on the dot, the Hoppeditz climbs out of a mustard pot in front of the town hall and heralds the start of the fifth season.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/F. Gambarini
The Cologne triumvirate
Cologne's Carnival triumvirate — known as the Kölner Dreigestirn — conisting of a virgin, prince and farmer assumes regency over all fools. They are invited as guests to various events during carnival season.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/O. Berg
Swollen heads in Mainz
Mainz carnival season opens with cries of "Helau." These typical giant papier-mache heads called "Schwellköppe," or "swollen heads," are always part of the big procession.
Image: Reuters/R. Orlowski
Carnival in Cottbus
Rumor has it that carnival is celebrated only in western Germany. But the eastern German city of Cottbus proves that's not the case. On 11/11, the dancers known as Funkenmariechen kick up their heels and the mayor hands over the key to the city.
Image: dapd
Carnival stage shows
After the raucous beginning of the carnival season on 11/11, things quiet down during Advent. But in the new year, revelers turn up the volume again: the carnival societies invite people to their large stage shows and balls.
Image: picture alliance
Weiberfastnacht
On Weiberfastnacht, Old Wives' Day, carnival really gets into gear. On Thursday before Shrove Monday — at 11:11 a.m., of course — women storm the town halls. The street carnival takes off and revellers party on the streets and squares. The six "crazy days" begin.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Galuschka
Smooching
Of course, men can also party along on Weiberfastnacht, but they should watch out: traditionally women chop off their neckties. Still, at least they get a "Bützchen," or "little kiss," in exchange, as a sign that it's all in good fun.
Image: Reuters/T. Schmuelgen
Rose Monday
The parades on Rose Monday, or Shrove Monday, are the highlight of the carnival season, especially in the Rhineland cities. Thousands of onlookers line the streets to watch the themed floats go by, while revelers on the floats throw flowers and sweets to the crowd.
Image: Reuters/R. Orlowski
Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet
The hand-carved masks are already an unmistakable sign that carnival in southwestern Germany differs from that on the Rhine. The large processions on Shrove Monday and Tuesday are called Narrensprünge — literally "fools' jump." Participants hop and jump through the streets. Rottweil's Narrensprung is famous.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
Ash Wednesday
The Hoppeditz opens the carnival season in Düsseldorf and also ends it. Traditionally the roguish figure is burned in effigy or buried in a coffin on Ash Wednesday amid weeping and wailing. It's coupled with the hope that the Hoppeditz will rise again and usher in the "fifth season" the next time November 11th rolls around.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
11 images1 | 11
Avoiding confusion
The initials KKK were made infamous throughout the world by the Ku Klux Klan, a racist and anti-Semitic group based in the United States.
The club said they were aware of the negative association and would try to avoid displaying the initials, for example by not printing them on the club's medal.
The Carnival season in northwestern Germany starts on November 11 and culminates in the run up to Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on March 6.
