Fasching
While most of those who are deemed the winners of the Great War observed Armistice / Remembrance / Veterans Day yesterday, in the German Catholic areas of Europe “the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” marks the beginning of Fasching or Karneval which ends on Fastnacht. This is the extended period of parties and celebrations that ends on Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras being a shortened form of the season.
It is hardly a coincidence that the armistice that ended the First World War was timed to begin 11 minutes prior to the beginning of this festive season that encompasses Christmas, New Years, and Shrove Tuesday celebrations.
München hardly has time to recover from Oktoberfest before Fasching begins.
