The photos from this Rosenmontag show a very different carnival from last year. A year of war in Ukraine and no sign of posters, emblems or colours reminding us that a battle is being fought not so far from here. Cologne at its most splendid, with parade of floats, families, children, clapping, cheering, people dressed as frogs, polar bears, anonymous heroes, pirates, policemen and the occasional cultural appropriation. Apparently harmless fun, but with a bitter side that is the same as always: transforming this tradition into an opportunity for free will, the time of the year when Germans leave their rules to impose only one: there are no rules. Alcohol, vandalism, and lots of revelry rule the streets. Perfect time to get the camera out again. These are some of the images captured last February 20th.
Andrea Ariet 