http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 19:00:43 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 19:00:43 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-carnival-peaks-with-rose-monday-processions-a-882716.html#ref=rss Angela Merkel as a pig suckling hungry nations in the euro crisis? Isn't that a bit risqué? Not this week, because anything goes at German carnival, when the nation, or large parts of it, allows itself to let its hair down. The Rose Monday parades marked the highlight of the season with their satirical floats. Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:35:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/german-carnival-peaks-with-rose-monday-processions-a-882716.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/carnival-parades-germany-shuts-down-for-mass-party-a-816538.html#ref=rss German carnival culminated on Rose Monday with huge parades in the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz. Hundreds of thousands lined the streets to catch sweets and watch the marching bands and satirical floats, one of which illustrated the close relationship between Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:07:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/carnival-parades-germany-shuts-down-for-mass-party-a-816538.html German carnival culminated on Rose Monday with huge parades in the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz. Hundreds of thousands lined the streets to catch sweets and watch the marching bands and satirical floats, one of which illustrated the close relationship between Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/parades-poke-fun-at-euro-crisis-german-carnival-hails-merkel-as-europe-s-savior-a-815473.html#ref=rss Most of Europe is in the grip of the debt crisis, but Germany is getting ready to party. The satirical parade floats that are a fixture of its carnival festivities leave no doubt about who's in charge of the troubled continent. One features Chancellor Angela Merkel at the bow of the <i>SS Europa</i> about to hit an iceberg. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:49:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/parades-poke-fun-at-euro-crisis-german-carnival-hails-merkel-as-europe-s-savior-a-815473.html SS Europa about to hit an iceberg.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/beer-red-noses-and-politics-satire-takes-to-the-streets-in-german-carnival-parades-a-749499.html#ref=rss Germany's notoriously riotous Carnival season culminated on Rose Monday with a parade of floats in Cologne and other Rhineland cities. The larger-than-life floats featured in the parades are colorful and often offer biting satire -- from Chancellor Merkel to fallen ex-Defense Minister Guttenberg. Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:15:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/beer-red-noses-and-politics-satire-takes-to-the-streets-in-german-carnival-parades-a-749499.html Germany's notoriously riotous Carnival season culminated on Rose Monday with a parade of floats in Cologne and other Rhineland cities. The larger-than-life floats featured in the parades are colorful and often offer biting satire -- from Chancellor Merkel to fallen ex-Defense Minister Guttenberg.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-s-party-of-all-parties-revelers-flock-to-the-streets-to-celebrate-carnival-a-748653.html#ref=rss All over the continent, Europeans are celebrating one of the year's biggest events: Carnival. From Germany to Croatia, and at places in-between, party-goers are dressing up and going out. SPIEGEL ONLINE takes a look at some of the continent's Carnival highlights. Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:40:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/europe-s-party-of-all-parties-revelers-flock-to-the-streets-to-celebrate-carnival-a-748653.html All over the continent, Europeans are celebrating one of the year's biggest events: Carnival. From Germany to Croatia, and at places in-between, party-goers are dressing up and going out. SPIEGEL ONLINE takes a look at some of the continent's Carnival highlights.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/ruckus-in-the-rhineland-carnival-goers-battle-winter-with-beer-and-bear-costumes-a-678181.html#ref=rss Beer and furry costumes helped German carnival revellers brave sub-zero temperatures as the six-day party climaxed with the traditional Rose Monday processions. But the party's not over till Ash Wednesday, when Germans revert to their normal, serious selves for the next 51 weeks. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:03:28 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/ruckus-in-the-rhineland-carnival-goers-battle-winter-with-beer-and-bear-costumes-a-678181.html Beer and furry costumes helped German carnival revellers brave sub-zero temperatures as the six-day party climaxed with the traditional Rose Monday processions. But the party's not over till Ash Wednesday, when Germans revert to their normal, serious selves for the next 51 weeks.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bavaria-s-chinese-carnival-long-live-the-emperor-of-dietfurt-a-677961.html#ref=rss The traditional Carnival parades held around Germany are famous for strange costumes and wild parties. But the small town of Dietfurt in Bavaria is becoming known for something a little more odd: During the festive season, the whole town turns Chinese. Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:19:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bavaria-s-chinese-carnival-long-live-the-emperor-of-dietfurt-a-677961.html The traditional Carnival parades held around Germany are famous for strange costumes and wild parties. But the small town of Dietfurt in Bavaria is becoming known for something a little more odd: During the festive season, the whole town turns Chinese.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/harnessing-anarchy-for-hitler-the-nazis-bid-to-control-carnival-a-677125.html#ref=rss Germany's Carnival is an expression of anarchic fun and mockery of those in power. Yet the Nazis sought to harness the potential of the festivities for their own ends. Anti-Semitic floats and speeches attacking Germany's enemies were commonplace, and defiance was rare. Thu, 11 Feb 2010 09:01:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/harnessing-anarchy-for-hitler-the-nazis-bid-to-control-carnival-a-677125.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlusconi-breasts-and-obama-cologne-carnival-floats-ready-for-action-a-676999.html#ref=rss Every year, Carnival in Cologne and Dusseldorf is an orgy of political satire, as floats making fun of world leaders take to the streets. This year, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is a particularly easy target. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:56:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/berlusconi-breasts-and-obama-cologne-carnival-floats-ready-for-action-a-676999.html Every year, Carnival in Cologne and Dusseldorf is an orgy of political satire, as floats making fun of world leaders take to the streets. This year, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is a particularly easy target.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/carnival-in-germany-did-you-hear-the-one-about-the-financial-crisis-a-609031.html#ref=rss Germany may be facing its worst economic downturn since World War II. But so what? The country is seizing on carnival this year to drown its sorrows -- and even to laugh about the financial crisis. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:36:32 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/carnival-in-germany-did-you-hear-the-one-about-the-financial-crisis-a-609031.html Germany may be facing its worst economic downturn since World War II. But so what? The country is seizing on carnival this year to drown its sorrows -- and even to laugh about the financial crisis.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/rose-monday-parade-german-carnival-to-feature-nearly-nude-merkel-a-608258.html#ref=rss The Rose Monday carnival procession on Feb. 23 will include a float showing Chancellor Angela Merkel in a Marilyn Monroesque, nearly-nude pose. The city's festival committee, aware of the possible reaction, may yet give her a bikini top, though. Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:36:46 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/rose-monday-parade-german-carnival-to-feature-nearly-nude-merkel-a-608258.html The Rose Monday carnival procession on Feb. 23 will include a float showing Chancellor Angela Merkel in a Marilyn Monroesque, nearly-nude pose. The city's festival committee, aware of the possible reaction, may yet give her a bikini top, though.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/carnival-in-venice-a-passion-for-finery-a-607833.html#ref=rss It's Carnival time in Venice again. Germany's Tanja Schulz-Hess talks to SPIEGEL ONLINE about the self-designed garments that have seen her take the top costume prize for two years in a row at Italy's world-famous, pre-Lent festival. Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:28:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/carnival-in-venice-a-passion-for-finery-a-607833.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/joining-the-party-germany-gets-its-first-turkish-carnival-society-a-607943.html#ref=rss Turks living in the western city of Dortmund have set up Germany's first Turkish carnival association. They want to prove they can party as hard as anyone else -- and to encourage immigrants to join in the peculiar festival which kicks off on Thursday. Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:11:35 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/joining-the-party-germany-gets-its-first-turkish-carnival-society-a-607943.html Turks living in the western city of Dortmund have set up Germany's first Turkish carnival association. They want to prove they can party as hard as anyone else -- and to encourage immigrants to join in the peculiar festival which kicks off on Thursday.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/farinaceous-food-fight-the-flour-wars-of-galaxidi-a-572974.html#ref=rss Every year at the end of Carnival, the Greek village of Galaxidi erupts in a day-long flour war. Goggles and overalls are recommended. Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:08:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/farinaceous-food-fight-the-flour-wars-of-galaxidi-a-572974.html Every year at the end of Carnival, the Greek village of Galaxidi erupts in a day-long flour war. Goggles and overalls are recommended.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/carnival-clash-italy-s-battle-of-the-oranges-a-570471.html#ref=rss Italy stages its biggest food fight each year in the Piedmont town of Ivrea, where thousands gather each year before Lent to re-enact a medieval battle by hurling oranges at each other. By the end of it the entire town is awash with Vitamin C. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 18:25:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/carnival-clash-italy-s-battle-of-the-oranges-a-570471.html Italy stages its biggest food fight each year in the Piedmont town of Ivrea, where thousands gather each year before Lent to re-enact a medieval battle by hurling oranges at each other. By the end of it the entire town is awash with Vitamin C. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-fool-s-procession-disciplined-madness-at-a-black-forest-carnival-a-553326.html#ref=rss The townsfolk of Rottweil in the Black Forest take their carnival extremely seriously. Everything about their processions is tightly regulated: the wooden masks, the strange dancing, the yelps of "Hu Hu Hu" and the ceremonial face-tickling with perfumed calves' tails. Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:41:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-fool-s-procession-disciplined-madness-at-a-black-forest-carnival-a-553326.html The townsfolk of Rottweil in the Black Forest take their carnival extremely seriously. Everything about their processions is tightly regulated: the wooden masks, the strange dancing, the yelps of "Hu Hu Hu" and the ceremonial face-tickling with perfumed calves' tails. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bloody-bin-laden-and-merkel-au-naturel-carnival-climaxes-at-rose-monday-parades-a-533030.html#ref=rss Celebrations in Germany's carnival-crazed cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz reached their apex on Rose Monday, after a weekend of carnival parties. However the fun turned nasty in some European cities, with far-right violence and two deaths. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 17:57:38 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/bloody-bin-laden-and-merkel-au-naturel-carnival-climaxes-at-rose-monday-parades-a-533030.html Celebrations in Germany's carnival-crazed cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz reached their apex on Rose Monday, after a weekend of carnival parties. However the fun turned nasty in some European cities, with far-right violence and two deaths.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/jewish-groups-outraged-munich-carnival-parade-to-fall-on-holocaust-day-a-530685.html#ref=rss Munich is to hold a carnival parade on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jewish groups have protested what they feel is a lack of sensitivity, but organizers insist they didn't know the date's significance and refuse to postpone the festivities. Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:40:48 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/jewish-groups-outraged-munich-carnival-parade-to-fall-on-holocaust-day-a-530685.html Munich is to hold a carnival parade on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Jewish groups have protested what they feel is a lack of sensitivity, but organizers insist they didn't know the date's significance and refuse to postpone the festivities.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/satirical-carnival-float-germany-makes-fun-of-england-s-football-woes-a-530003.html#ref=rss Germany's carnival is thumbing its nose at English football this year with a float that reflects pure, unadulterated <i>Schadenfreude </i>at England's failure to qualify for the European Football Championship. Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:13:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/satirical-carnival-float-germany-makes-fun-of-england-s-football-woes-a-530003.html Germany's carnival is thumbing its nose at English football this year with a float that reflects pure, unadulterated Schadenfreude at England's failure to qualify for the European Football Championship. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/anarchy-in-rio-carnival-of-death-a-467379.html#ref=rss Shoot-outs on the street may be common in Rio de Janeiro, but the current wave of violence has shocked even Brazilians. The horror has cast a shadow over this year's carnival. Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:27:19 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/anarchy-in-rio-carnival-of-death-a-467379.html Shoot-outs on the street may be common in Rio de Janeiro, but the current wave of violence has shocked even Brazilians. The horror has cast a shadow over this year's carnival.]]>