February 2008
Fasching
This year’s Fasching season will be the shortest since 1907, ending on February 6. Nevertheless, carnival revelers will not refrain from celebrating Munich’s “Fifth Season.” Some even suspect that the festivities may be even wilder than ever. Just as diverse as the roots of carnival—a fusion of medieval Catholic pre-Lent partying with pagan masquerades to scare away the demons of winter—are the manifold merriment possibilities. There will be glamorous balls at the Deutsches Theater (
www.deutsches-theater.de), and Hotel Bayerischer Hof will host spectacular carnival events themed “Carneval in Rio” and “Fiesta Latina” (
www.bayerischerhof.de). Perhaps most interesting of all balls will be the “Weisse Feste” at Max-Emanuel Brauerei (
www.weisse-feste.de): In contrast to the colorful events held elsewhere in the city, the beer hall will be decorated with white only. Obviously, white costumes are requested. Those preferring tumultuous parties should just head to the city center. Radio stations will erect sound systems from Stachus to Isartor, and there will be stages hosting a program of carnival performances. One of the annual highlights will be the “Dance of the Market Women” on February 5 at Viktualienmarkt. On Faschingsdienstag at midnight, celebrations traditionally end with the burial of a puppet representing the “Foolish Season” that has passed. Yet another Munich Fasching ceremony will be carried out on Ash Wednesday. Washing one’s purse in the Fischbrunnen is an old custom that allegedly helps to wash in new money after it has been spent during Fa-sching partying. The ceremony at Marienplatz will be opened by Mayor Christian Ude and his city treasurer at 11 am. <<<
Even though homemade Fasching costumes are fun,
it may be an eye-catch-ing alternative to wear
the perfect professional outfit. Here are the addresses of some costume rental shops:
Kostümverleih Hera
Buttermelcherstr. 2a
Tel. 26 39 16
www.kostuemverleih-
hera-munich.de
Breuer Kostümverleih
& Kostümverkauf
Hohenzollernstr. 22a
Tel. 39 99 65
www.kostuemverleih.com
Cinyburg Kostümhaus
Lindwurmstr. 16
Tel. 53 44 12
Einzinger & Co.
Baumkirchner Str. 19
Tel. 93 09 320
www.einzinger.de
Kostüm Kontor
Barerstr. 82
Tel. 27 37 10 93
www.kostuem-kontor.de
