The Carnival of Cologne, in western Germany, was launched after the absence of the event last year due to the “Covid 19” pandemic, and this comes with the attendance limited to people vaccinated or recovered from Corona, despite the authorities’ concern about the renewed increase in the number of people infected with the virus.

Carnival activities in Cologne, western Germany

In the old city center square, thousands of revelers, dressed in colorful clothes and without masks, joined their voices to chant together the song “Mein sen vader do”, “Here we come back”, and many of them carried banners with the same message.

And the treasurer of the Association of Carnival-goers in Cologne, Uwe Schorning, considered the risk associated with holding the event “reasonable”.

But it seems that the epidemic has returned to spread at an accelerating pace in Germany, as the country recorded Thursday for the first time more than 5,000 new infections within 24 hours, and the occupancy rate of hospital beds is steadily rising.

Carnival events in Cologne, western Germany

Carnival activities in Cologne, western Germany

Carnival activities in Cologne, western Germany

Carnival activities in Cologne, western Germany

This situation prompted the head of the Bavarian regional government, Markus Söder, to say that it was “difficult to imagine” holding the carnival this year. “I don’t feel guilty because I’m partying,” Schornegg told AFP, dressed as a sailor. “If politicians think restrictions are necessary, then we will comply. But as long as that’s not the case, we will continue.”

“We’ve waited a long time” after almost all events were canceled in 2020, Hanu Pots, the mayor of Bergis Gladbach, said in 2019, and “we were looking forward to getting dressed” in the show.

Wearing a white, red and gold hat while a winter coat concealed the rest of the festive outfit, Potts added, “There is not much room for the normal in our lives now, so this event brings back some of the joy of life.”

Carnival events in Cologne, western Germany

Carnival activities in Cologne, western Germany

The carnival season officially begins every year in November and ends on what is known as Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Christian Lent) of the following year, and celebrations are held at the end of the carnival over a whole week.