All across Europe, people took to the streets to celebrate Carnival, an annual festival kicking off the Catholic season of Lent.
The celebration began in the 14th century when lower-class citizens faced the 40-day fasting period of Lent, taking the few days before to indulge while they still could. People would cover their faces to avoid being held accountable for their wilder actions, and this tradition remains in many cities today.
Nowadays, people of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their most colorful and elaborate costumes, disguising themselves as they party loudly and shamelessly. The annual celebration traditionally takes place in the three days preceding Ash Wednesday, but many cities begin the festivities as early as the weekend. During Valentine’s weekend, in both Cologne, Germany and Well, Netherlands, large-scale parades filled the streets with music and color. While the tradition has its roots in religion, many cities have created a modern twist.
A group of students dressed as royalty march in the Carnival parade in Cologne, Germany. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)People line the streets outside the Cologne Cathedral as they wait for the parade to commence. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)Costumed people cross the train tracks after the conclusion of the parade in Cologne. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A group of students dressed as cupcakes march in the Carnival parade in Cologne,. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A group of men dressed as carrots wait for the parade to commence. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)Confetti lingers on the curb after the conclusion of the parade in Cologne. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A man dressed as a hippie carries a sign saying, “MAKE ALAAF NOT WAR” in Cologne. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A group of children dressed as flowers follow a float down the parade route in Cologne. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A group of paradegoers follow a float down the parade route in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A float of a bird towers above onlookers as it continues down the parade route in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A pair of dancers perform for the annually crowned “King” of Carnival in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A float depicting a trio of cowboys continues down the parade route in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A man drives a glowing go-kart around paradegoers in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A float depicting the regional mascot of Carnival continues down the parade route in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A group of paradegoers is filmed by a local cameraman in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)A float depicting a trio of drunken bar patrons continues down the parade route in Well. (Jay Guarino/ For The Beacon)
