Karlheinz Steimel
says Hi from sunny Cologne on the Rhine where we are just now celebrating
the
fifth season = Karneval (in high German "Fastnacht" for Koelsch
"Fastelovend").
I was interested to see your mention of a February Festival being held. I
wondered if it is similar, or the same, as the one held in Limberg area,
Holland. As previously mentioned, I lived near Sittard which is west of
Cologne. I forget the festival name, but in February the Dutch celebrate
coming out of the 'dark' months. Basically, there were three days of
festivities. A Prince of Light is selected. The taverns were filled with
people in fancy dress and wearing masks, there was much quaffing of lager
and on the stroke of midnight the masks were removed. All culminating on the
fourth day by eating rollmop (raw) herrings and attending church.
Rena (England)