Carnival celebrations have officially begun in Germany's Rhineland. This time around, Donald Trump costumes are expected to feature prominently in the region's biggest party of the year.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/H. Kaiser
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Carnival starts in Cologne
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Despite intermittent rain and chilly winter temperatures, Carnival festivities kicked off punctually at 11 minutes past 11 on Friday - the 11th day of the 11th month.
The "fifth season," as it's known locally, takes over cities along the Rhine river each year, with the biggest parties in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz. Revelers typically dress up in costume, while beer flows freely throughout the day.
Thousands of people gathered in Cologne's old town square to mark the occasion on Friday. Security was tightened in the city, with more police and ambulances on standby, following the New Year's Eve attacks earlier this year.
Each Carnival city has new rulers each year. In Cologne, it's the "trio of fools" who take over. In Düsseldorf, the Hoppeditz, a jester in red and white attire, declares the start of carnival by coming out of a mustard jar and giving a speech.
Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker announced the signing of the city's agreement with the fools via Twitter.
Carnival season culminates with a series of massive parades, complete with marching bands and elaborate floats, on Rose Monday, which falls on February 27 next year. It all comes to an official end two days later on Ash Wednesday.
Sigrid Krebs of Cologne's Carnival committee told German news agency DPA that she wouldn't be surprised to see more of US president-elect Donald Trump this year - in costumes and in the cities' parades, which take place in February.
"He is a topic that affects the whole world - and certainly us as well," she said, adding that although the Carnival floats hadn't been built yet, Trump was sure to feature on a few of them. "Rose Monday is only three and a half months away - a lot can happen in that time.”
Carnival starts on November 11 in Germany
As of the 11th day of the 11th month, German carnival strongholds organize festive events until Ash Wednesday, in February the following year. The "fifth season" is more than five days before Lent.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Vennenbernd
Carnival begins
On the 11th day of the 11th month the carnival strongholds in the Rhineland, especially Cologne, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Aachen and Mainz, all launch carnival season. In Cologne, 10,000 people gather at Heumarkt square. Many come from all over the region and the country. In other areas of Cologne, alternative events are also held.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/R. Vennenbernd
One too many
These are also typical carnival scenes. Extra ambulances and paramedics are needed, because there are many people who drink so much that they're already too drunk in the early afternoon.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
Too commercial?
A famous local band, the Bläck Fööss, decided not to play at the official Cologne carnival this year, claiming it has lost its traditional "Kölsch" spirit. They will be playing at a smaller event instead.
Image: Rainer Dahmen
The carnival sessions
As of January, carnival clubs organize shows and masked balls. In Cologne, these events are loud and hearty, whereas a more intellectual atmosphere rules in Mainz, where political humor is part of the tradition. Just as traditional there are these "court's singers," a serious choir of men - all dressed in clown costumes.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
All together now!
No city in the world celebrates carnival like Cologne. New songs are invented for carnival season every year. The singing tour "Loss mer singe" (LMS) is an evening where everyone can learn these new songs. A Kölsch pub in Berlin, "Ständige Vertretung," also holds a preparatory evening to practice them.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The 'swollen heads' of Mainz
These giants heads, called "Schwellköpp" (swollen heads) in Mainz, are part of the carnival parade and depict the features of public personalities and politicians of the city.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/K. Lenz
The trio of fools in Cologne
Each carnival city has new rulers every year. In most of them, it is a duo of princes. In Cologne, it is the "Dreigestirn," the trio of fools. Even though a virgin is among them, these characters are all held by men - and they're rich ones. It can cost up to 100,000 euros ($110,000) to become the Prince of the year in Cologne, whereas the position can be snapped up for 75,000 euros in Dusseldorf.
Image: picture alliance/dpa
The Dusseldorf Hoppeditz
The jester of Dusseldorf, called "Hoppeditz," is awoken every year on the 11th of the 11th month. He comes out of a pot of mustard and holds a little speech, after which the mayor of the city may or may not be allowed to answer back. The figure of the Hoppeditz is burned on Ash Wednesday.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa
The Nubbel burns in Cologne
During carnival week, the Nubbel hangs over the entrances of the pubs of Cologne. The straw man is held responsible for all carnival sins and misfortunes. On the eve of Ash Wednesday, a ceremony is held at midnight and the doll is burned.
