Karneval in Germany
If you happened to travel to Cologne or Duesseldorf, or any other German town this weekend, you might think that you have entered another world, because this weekend is Karneval in Germany.
People wander around in fancy dress, hugging and kissing each other, throwing sweeties, and generally having a good time.
On Monday the neighbouring cities of Cologne and Duessldorf vie to present the best Rosenmontags Parade.
Karneval officially starts on 11.11 at 11.11am, and from then on till the weekend before Lent, Germans join in the ‘fifth season’. In the run up to the Karneval weekend, there are lots of concerts, balls and children’s parties,
Cat lived was born in Germany so knows all about Karneval. Where she was born in the south of Germany, it is called ‘Fasching’, and in Switzerland it is known as ‘Fastnacht’.
WHAT IS IT?
How To Catch Sweets
Karneval or Fasching is an activity that many people in Germany celebrate. Basically what they do is they go to a certain place, normally somewhere in their town, and dress up (as anything) and big parade floats come along with people on them that usually throw sweets (called Kamele) and sometimes little gifts.
It is normally sometime in February (the weekend before Lent).
WHY DO THEY DO IT?
Because it is the last celebration before you need to give something up for Lent. (Don’t say you’re going to give up school, it doesn’t work!)
DO OTHER COUNTRIES CELEBRATE IT?
Yes, there are carnival celebrations in Rio, Basel, Venice and New Orleans. It is often called ‘Mardi Gras’, which means ‘Fat Tuesday’!
‘Transformers Were My Childhood’
… said 13 year old McKenna Pope when she was being interviewed on CNN about Gender biased marketing.
What do you think? It is coming up for Xmas – do you agree with groups such as Let Toys Be Toys or are you happy to play with ‘girl toys’?
EDIT
Let Toys Be Toys were in the Independent newspaper today.
Great PocketMoney-Sized Christmas Gift Ideas for the Family
Trying to think of festive gifts for your loved ones, but a bit short of pocket money? Carolyn Ward has some great pocket-money-sized gift ideas for the family
Miles for Malala
Benita is 12 years old and has already raised over £400 for Malala, the young girl who was shot by the Taliban in Pakistan. This is Benita’s story.
I am called Benita and I’m twelve years old. I live with my mum, dad and younger brother. I go to school on my school bus. At school I like to study English and art. I don’t really know what I want to be yet although I know that it will probably be something to do with English. I’m not under any immediate threat for anything.
Malala started writing a blog for the BBC when she was eleven, she wrote about her daily life being controlled by the Taliban. She didnt reveal her name until later on.
She lives with her mum, dad and two younger brothers. Her dad is a teacher and encouraged her to keep on going. She has won quite a few awards for peace and bravery.
In some areas of Pakistan and other countries, the Taliban dont allow girls to go to school wear bright colours or speak to men on the streets otherwise there could be some serious punishments. They include being stoned to death or shot. Even though the Taliban might shoot them if they find out, Malala and her friends went to school. They didnt wear school clothes as that would make it obvious they were going to school.
Malala spoke out against the Taliban which made her a threat. The Taliban decided that they would have to shoot her. They got on to her bus and shot her in the head and shot some of her friends as well. She is now in a critical condition but is getting better. If you were a girl in Malala’s country how would you feel to not be allowed to go to school, say what you want or wear what you want. I think that Malala is very brave and that is why I am supporting her, her family and her friends because, as girls, we dont deserve to be treated unfairly.
I am doing a ten mile walk in aid of Malala and the country she lives in. It will be hard as I’ve never done a ten mile walk before however we are stopping at a café half way. If you want to sponsor me I have a just giving page called Miles for Malala
Benita completed the ten mile walk on Sunday 11th November and has until time of publishing raised £416